title: Over-expression of SERPINB3 in hepatoblastoma: a possible insight into the genesis of this tumour?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The serpin SERPINB3 (SB3) found over-expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma and in regenerating liver in mice has been shown to induce apoptosis resistance, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and increasing cellular invasion. It has also been hypothesised that SB3 may provide a pro-proliferative stimulus for liver cells in vivo. No information is available on SB3 in hepatoblastoma (HB). Aims of the study were to analyse SB3 expression in HB specimens and to investigate its possible correlation with Myc expression and tumour extension at diagnosis as evaluated by the pre-treatment extent of disease evaluation system (PRETEXT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Frozen tumour specimens from 42 children with HB were analysed for SB3 and Myc expression by real-time PCR. SB3 localisation in tumour specimens was assessed by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At transcription level SB3 was positive in 79% of the cases. By immunohistochemistry, SB3 expression was found mainly in the embryonic, blastemal, small cell undifferentiated (SCUD) components of HB, while it was not detectable in normal hepatocytes. High SB3 reactivity was also detected in neoplastic cell clusters of portal vein tumour thrombosis. A direct correlation was observed between SB3 gene expression, the up-regulation of Myc (r=0.598, p<0.0001) and tumour extension (PRETEXT III/IV versus I/II, p=0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SB3 is over-expressed in HB and its expression is positively correlated with Myc expression and high tumour stage. The role of SB3 in the genesis of HB and in defining the risk profile of children affected by this tumour is hypothesised.
authors: Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors: Cristian
authors: C
authors: Turato
authors: Marie Annick
authors: MA
authors: Buendia
authors: Monique
authors: M
authors: Fabre
authors: Marie Josè
authors: MJ
authors: Redon
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Branchereau
authors: Santina
authors: S
authors: Quarta
authors: Mariagrazia
authors: M
authors: Ruvoletto
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Perilongo
authors: Michael Andreas
authors: MA
authors: Grotzer
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Gatta
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Pontisso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D016259:Genes, myc; D018197:Hepatoblastoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D015843:Serpins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen