Claudin-10 expression level is associated with recurrence of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with the same clinicopathologic features can have remarkably different disease outcomes after curative hepatectomy. To address this issue, we evaluated the cDNA microarray gene expression profiles of HCCs and identified claudin-10 expression level was associated with disease recurrence. The aim of the current study is to validate the microarray data by an alternative research method applicable for routine practice.


METHODS
Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to validate the microarray data on claudin-10 expression level. The assay was repeated on a separate HCC sample set to consolidate the prognostic significance of claudin-10.


RESULTS
Claudin-10 expression level by quantitative RT-PCR and by microarray measurement showed a high concordance (r = 0.602, P < 0.001). Quantitative RT-PCR was repeated on a separate HCC sample set and the association of claudin-10 expression with recurrence was again confirmed (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.4; P = 0.011). By multivariable Cox regression analysis, claudin-10 expression and pathologic tumor-node-metastasis stage were independent factors for prediction of disease recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Claudin-10 expression of HCC can be used as a molecular marker for disease recurrence after curative hepatectomy.
Cheung
Siu Tim
ST
Department of Surgery, Centre for the Study of Liver Disease, University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. stcheung@hkucc.hku.hk
Leung
Ka Ling
KL
Ip
Ying Chi
YC
Chen
Xin
X
Fong
Daniel Y
DY
Ng
Irene O
IO
Fan
Sheung Tat
ST
So
Samuel
S
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D057167:Claudins; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015996:Survival Rate
D057167:Claudins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C502009:claudin 10