title: Overexpression of 14-3-3ε predicts tumour metastasis and poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The results of our earlier studies suggested that 14-3-3ε is involved in cancer cell survival and growth. However, it is not clear whether 14-3-3ε plays a role in tumour metastasis and patient outcome. The aim of this study was to determine whether 14-3-3ε is a marker for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis and survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and fourteen patients with tissue-diagnosed primary HCC were followed for an average of 58.6 months. 14-3-3ε in liver tissues was analysed by immunohistochemistry, and quantified by a Quick score system. Correlation of 14-3-3ε with patient survival and metastasis was analysed with a Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and Cox proportional hazard regression. Seventy-one of 114 patients (62.3%) had a significant increase of 14-3-3ε expression in HCC tissues, whereas normal tissues expressed weak or undetectable 14-3-3ε. Elevated 14-3-3ε expression was significantly associated with shortened overall survival and progression-free survival. Furthermore, 14-3-3ε overexpression increased the risk of metastasis 4.6-fold.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overexpression of 14-3-3ε in primary HCC tissues predicts a high risk of extrahepatic metastasis and worse survival, and is a potential therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bor-Sheng
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Tzu-Ching
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chiun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Yao-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tang-Long
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Shyh-Chang
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kenneth K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yee-Jee
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Jun-Yang
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Liou
mesh_terms: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor