[Expressions of Raf-1 kinase, phosphorylated mitogen extracellular kinase 1, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 in hepatocellular carcinoma and their relationship with prognosis].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the prognostic values of Raf-1 kinase (Raf-1), phosphorylated mitogen extracellular kinase 1 (pMEK1), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(pERK1/2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.


METHODS
We assessed the expressions of Raf-1, pMEK1, and pERK1/2 in HCC using immunohistochemical techniques. The relationships between the expressions of Raf-1, pMEK1, and pERK1/2 and the prognosis were explored.


RESULTS
The over-expression rates of Raf-1, pMEK1, and pERK1/2 in HCC were 38.3%, 46.7%, and 38.3%, respectively. The over-expressions of Raf-1, pMEK1, and pERK1/2 were positively correlated with each other (P>0.05), but had no significant correlation with sex, age, α-fetoprotein, hepatitis B surface antigen status, the TNM stage, size,differentiation and vascular invasion of tumor, and liver cirrhosis (P>0.05). Univariate survival analysis and COX proportional hazard regression model showed that Raf-1 over-expression was an independent prognostic factor of poor survival (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Raf-1 over-expression is an independent marker for the patients of HCC, which may provide new clue in the future targeted therapy.
Chen
Li
L
Department of Medical Oncology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Shi
Yan
Y
Jiang
Cheng-ying
CY
Sun
Qiong
Q
Dai
Guang-hai
GH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D048369:MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011379:Prognosis; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / Q000378:metabolism*
D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048369:MAP Kinase Kinase 1; C482125:MAP2K1 protein, human