title: HLA class I antigens are possible prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Thirty patients who underwent hepatectomy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were examined for expression of HLA class I antigens on HCC cells by flow cytometry. The expression was found significantly lower in cases of stage IV compared with those of stage I or stage II (p<0.05), and in cases of intrahepatic metastases compared with those without metastases (p<0.001). In cases of non-curative hepatectomy, the expression of HLA class I antigens was lower compared with those treated by curative resection. Postoperative cumulative disease-free survival rates were well correlated with the expression rate of HLA class I antigens (p<0.05). Expression of HLA class I antigens on HCC may indicate low malignancy and better prognosis.
authors.affiliation: HOKKAIDO UNIV,SCH MED,INST CANC,PATHOL LAB,SAPPORO,HOKKAIDO 060,JAPAN.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishibe
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Une
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuramitsu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uchino