Loss of E-cadherin mRNA and gain of osteopontin mRNA are useful markers for detecting early recurrence of HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether expression of E-cadherin (E-cad) and osteopontin (OPN) mRNAs could predict the early recurrence of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCV-HCC) after curative surgery.


METHODS
Forty-four HCV-HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy were divided into three categories: category 1--recurrence (3 mR+: n = 6) or non-recurrence (3 mR-: n = 38) within 3 months; category 2--recurrence (6 mR+: n = 4) or non-recurrence (6 mR-: n = 34) between 3-6 months; category 3--recurrence (1 yR+: n = 4) or non-recurrence (1 yR-: n = 30) between 6-12 months. Levels of expression of E-cad and OPN mRNAs were analyzed quantitatively by real-time PCR and calculated using the formula: t = (copy of E-cad or OPN/copy of GAPDH) x 1,000.


RESULTS
The t-value for E-cad was significantly lower in 3 mR+ than in 3 mR- (0.4 and 28.1, P < 0.05), in 6 mR+ than in 6 mR- (4.0 and 30.6, P < 0.05), and in 1 yR+ than in 1 yR- (9.2 and 32.9, respectively, P < 0.05). The t-value for OPN was higher in 3 mR+ than in 3 mR- (92.6 and 65.7, P = 0.57), in 6 mR+ than in 6 mR- (457.1 and 58.15, respectively, P = 0.24), and in 1 yR+ than in 1 yR- (221.8 and 53.5, respectively, P = 0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
Low expression of E-cad mRNA and high expression of OPN mRNA are associated with a higher likelihood of early recurrence of HCV-HCC.
Iso
Yukihiro
Y
Second Department of Surgery, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
Sawada
Tokihiko
T
Okada
Toshie
T
Kubota
Keiichi
K
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D053495:Osteopontin; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C506895:SPP1 protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D053495:Osteopontin