CD117 (c-kit) expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Although various methods of treatment have been tried, treatment options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain limited. Expression of the platelet-derived growth factor has been shown in HCC, which may derive from hepatic stem cells that express the c-kit proto-oncogene. Because of the promising results of imatinib and the key role played by c-kit in gastrointestinal stromal tumours and other solid tumours, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of c-kit (CD117) overexpression in patients with HCC.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 258 archival specimens of subjects with histologically confirmed HCC was carried out. Expression of the c-kit proto-oncogene was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using rabbit anti-CD117 antibody A4502.


RESULTS
The overall percentage of positive immunohistochemical staining of HCCs was 2.3% (6/258).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that CD117 is not significantly overexpressed in HCC and there seems to be no role for the use of imatinib.
Becker
G
G
Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany. becker@med1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Schmitt-Graeff
A
A
Ertelt
V
V
Blum
H E
HE
Allgaier
H-P
HP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D010879:Piperazines; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit