Characterization of somatostatin receptor 2 and 5 expression in operable hepatocellular carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
Somatostatin analog improves survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma by interacting with its specific receptor 2 and 5. However, expression of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) in operable HCC is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the expression of SSTR-2 and -5 in HBV-related HCC and compared its clinicopathological features and follow-up data.


METHODS
Seventy six patients with HCC were enrolled. SSTR-2 and -5 expression was investigated by QPCR and immunohistochemistry in all the samples. Furthermore, the association between gene expression and survival was analyzed.


RESULTS
Compared to surrounding cirrhotic tissues, mRNA levels of SSTR-2 and -5 in HCCs were significantly reduced. Seventy six HCC patients were divided into two groups according to SSTR-2 and 5 expression profiles. Both groups were well balanced with respect to baseline characteristics. According to univariate analysis, the mean survival time was longer in the HIGH SSTR-2/5 expression group. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that tumor expression level of SSTR-2 can be used as an independent prognostic marker of HCC as well as tumor TNM stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Downregulation of SSTR transcription may result in loss of a tumor suppressive. Characterization of SSTR expression can be used as a useful parameter to evaluate the prognosis of HCC.
Department of Transplantation, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Shanni
S
Li
Yao
Y
Liu
Zhongyang
Z
Shen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; C574734:SSTR2 protein, human; C094573:somatostatin receptor 5