Impact of portal vein embolization on expression of cancer stem cell markers in regenerated liver and colorectal liver metastases.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the expression of stem cell markers in normal liver and colorectal liver metastases (CLM). The aim of this paper is to assess whether patterns of stem cell marker expression differ between normal liver tissue and CLM and to determine whether a clinical model of liver regeneration induced by portal vein embolization (PVE) has any influence on these patterns of expression in both regenerated liver tissue and cancer.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was used to provide semi-quantitative analysis of patterns of expression in tissue samples of liver and tumor tissue pre- and post-PVE in 23 patients with CLM. CD133, CD44 and Oct4 were studied.


RESULTS
There was no expression of CD133, CD44 or Oct4 in normal liver tissue before PVE but there was high expression of CD133 and CD44 in CLM. PVE had no significant influence on stem cell marker expression either in regenerated liver tissue or in tumor when compared with pre-PVE samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver regeneration following PVE does not seem to involve stem cells. Stem cell marker expression by CLM supports the stem cell theory of carcinogenesis which is not influenced by PVE.
Williamson
James M L
JM
Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Unit, Division of SORA, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College, London, UK.
Thairu
Nagaru
N
Katsoulas
Nicolas
N
Stamp
Gordon
G
Ahmad
Rabia
R
du Potet
Edmund
E
Levicar
Natasha
N
Gordon
Myrtle
M
Stebbing
Justin
J
Habib
Nagy A
NA
Jiao
Long R
LR
D015415:Biomarkers; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells; D011169:Portal Vein
D015415:Biomarkers