title: Increased expression of EphA2 and E-N cadherin switch in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression and clinical significance of ephrin type-A receptor 2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tissues from 52 primary hepatocellular carcinomas and 12 human normal liver tissues were detected for expression of ephrin type-A receptor 2, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin by immunochemistry. Cinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma and tumor recurrence after operation were studied for the association with these molecular expressions and E-N cadherin switch.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased expressions of ephrin type-A receptor 2 and N-cadherin and reduced expression of E-cadherin were significantly detected in hepatocellular carcinoma compared with normal liver tissues. Univariate analysis showed that there were close associations between unfavorable clinicopathological features and expressions of ephrin type-A receptor 2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and E-N cadherin switch. Ephrin type-A receptor 2 and E-cadherin expressions were confirmed as independent prognostic factors when corrected with age, gender, AFP, HBsAg, liver cirrhosis, tumor size, nodules, capsule, portal vein invasion, cell differentiation, and TNM stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overexpression of ephrin type-A receptor 2 protein is correlated with the number of tumors, capsular integrity, portal vein cancer thrombus and clinical stages. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulated by ephrin type-A receptor 2 is involved in the aggressive clinicopathological features and prognosis, suggesting that the receptor may play an important role in the progression and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Fan
authors: Yü
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Fada
authors: F
authors: Xia
authors: Zhuolu
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Yun
authors: Y
authors: Huang
authors: Jingdong
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Zhiming
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Xinying
authors: X
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036104:Receptor, EphA2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C050361:CDH2 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D036104:Receptor, EphA2