title: Expression of apoptosis- and vitamin D pathway-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and therapeutic options are scarce. As they might represent future targets for cancer therapy, the expression of apoptosis-related genes in HCC is of particular interest. In this pilot study, we further examined apoptosis-related genes in human HCC and also focused on vitamin D signaling as this might be a regulator of HCC cell apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We employed tumor tissue and serum samples from 62 HCC patients as well as 62 healthy controls for these studies. Tissue and serum specimens were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In HCC patients the apoptosis marker M30 was found to be elevated and several pro-apoptotic (TRAIL, FasL and FasR) as well as anti-apoptotic genes (Mcl-1 and Bcl-2) were simultaneously upregulated in tumor tissue and especially tumor-surrounding tissue as compared to healthy control livers. Moreover, vitamin D serum levels were decreased in HCC patients whereas vitamin D receptor mRNA expression was increased in tumor tissue and tumor-surrounding tissue as compared to healthy livers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In human HCC, M30 serum levels are elevated indicating an increased cell turnover. Modulation of the vitamin D pathway might be a supportive, pro-apoptotic HCC therapy.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany.
authors: Christian D
authors: CD
authors: Fingas
authors: Akif
authors: A
authors: Altinbas
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Schlattjan
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Beilfuss
authors: Jan-Peter
authors: JP
authors: Sowa
authors: Svenja
authors: S
authors: Sydor
authors: Lars P
authors: LP
authors: Bechmann
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Ertle
authors: Hikmet
authors: H
authors: Akkiz
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Herzer
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Paul
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Gerken
authors: Hideo A
authors: HA
authors: Baba
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Canbay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000097:blood*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D015415:Biomarkers; C491901:FAS protein, human; D019014:fas Receptor; D014807:Vitamin D