The role of des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP), is a well-known tumor marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). On the other hand, some reports suggest that tissue expression of DCP is more useful as a prognostic factor than the serum DCP value. The aim of this study is to clarify the clinicopathological role of expression of DCP on HCC, especially when there is a low serum level of DCP.


METHODS
Fifty-one patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatectomy were included in this study. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using anti-DCP monoclonal antibody, which was classified into 2 groups (strong and weak) by a pathologist. The immunohistochemical expression of tumor microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated using CD34 monoclonal antibody, and counted with specific staining of the capillary-like vessels in the tumor. The clinicopathological variables were compared between the strong and weak-staining groups.


RESULTS
A strong DCP expression was recognized in 31 patients. DCP expression was associated with tumor size (p < 0.05) and portal vein infiltration (p < 0.01). In addition, serum DCP levels and alpha-fetoprotein levels tended to be higher in the strong group. In 16 patients whose serum DCP level was < 200mAU/ml, the recurrence-free survival rate was significantly lower in the strong group. No correlation was observed between DCP expression and MVD.


CONCLUSIONS
DCP expression in HCC is useful for the prediction of early recurrence in patients with a low serum DCP level.
Harino
Yukari
Y
Department of Digestive and Pediatric Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima-city Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
Fujii
Masahiko
M
Imura
Satoru
S
Morine
Yuji
Y
Ikemoto
Tetuya
T
Soejima
Yuji
Y
Shimada
Mitsuo
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015415:Biomarkers; D011498:Protein Precursors; C008208:acarboxyprothrombin; D011516:Prothrombin