Can E-cadherin and CD34 be used as indicators of prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma patients?
BACKGROUND
The high postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a problem that would benefit from the identification of indicators of recurrence and prognosis. In the past few years, research has shown that E-cadherin and CD34 can be used as indicators of the invasion of malignant tumors. In the present study, we investigated the expression of E-cadherin and CD34 in HCC patients.


METHODS
Expression levels of E-cadherin and CD34 in 41 HCC samples were detected using two-step immunohistochemical methods and compared with clinical pathological parameters and survival rate.


RESULTS
The positive rates of E-cadherin and CD34 expression in 41 HCC cases were 48.78% and 100%, respectively. Expression of E-cadherin was significantly lower in patients with larger tumors, a high risk invasion and Edmondson classification III or IV (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between CD34 expression and age and tumor invasiveness (p<0.05). There was no significant relationship between expression of CD34 and E-cadherin by Spearman statistical analysis (p>0.05). The survival rate in patients with negative expression of E-cadherin was significantly lower.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of CD34 cannot be used singly as a prognostic indicator for HCC patients. The co-expression of E-cadherin and CD34 cannot be used as a prognostic indicator for HCC patients. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:1122-6.
Wu
Li-Qun
LQ
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. cloudylucn@163.com
Lu
Yun
Y
Lu
Hua-Jun
HJ
Lv
Zheng-hua
ZH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015415:Biomarkers; D015820:Cadherins