Reduced expression of C/EBP alpha protein in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with advanced tumor stage and shortened patient survival.
OBJECTIVE
CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha) is a transcription factor and a tumor suppressor. We aimed to assess its protein expression and prognostic value in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 50 HCC patients and performed immunohistochemistry against C/EBP alpha on tumors and adjacent nontumor specimens. Relationships of C/EBP alpha expression with clinical parameters and patient survival were analyzed.


RESULTS
C/EBP alpha expression was not influenced by chronic alcohol exposure, viral hepatitis, or cirrhosis, but was reduced in 60% of HCC. Reduction of C/EBP alpha was associated with advanced tumor stage (P = 0.001). Patients with markedly reduced C/EBP alpha expression had a significantly shorter survival with a hazard ratio of 5.45 (95% confidence interval, 1.93-15.40; P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
C/EBP alpha may be a potential prognostic marker or therapeutic target in HCC regardless of different etiology.
Tseng
Hsi-Huang
HH
Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hwang
Yaw-Huei
YH
Yeh
Kun-Tu
KT
Chang
Jan-Gowth
JG
Chen
Yao-Li
YL
Yu
Hsin-Su
HS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D022763:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D022763:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha