title: Loss of FOXF2 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  FOXF2 is a member of the forkhead box (FOX) family of transcription factors. FOXF2 plays an important role in several tumors but its expression and role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using immunohistochemistry, western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction, we analyzed FOXF2 expression in 295 clinicopathologically characterized HCC cases. Using RNA interference (RNAi), we investigated the effects of FOXF2 depletion on tumor cell behavior in vitro. Statistical analyses were used to determine associations between FOXF2 levels, tumor features, and patient outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FOXF2 downregulation was observed in HCC tissues (p < 0.001) compared with peritumorous tissues, and its expression levels were closely correlated with overall survival and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.023 and 0.006, respectively) in patients with HCC. RNAi-mediated silencing of the FOXF2 gene in the MHCC-97H cell line significantly promoted proliferation and anti-apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study indicate that FOXF2 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for HCC and may be a promising target in the treatment of patients with HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radioactive Intervention, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. shizhiyong119@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Unit, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radioactive Intervention, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiaohe
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radioactive Intervention, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radioactive Intervention, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Shuqun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestion, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Yongshun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Dahua Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Rongli
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Radioactive Intervention, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. gelarge@163.com.
authors.forename: Naijian
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.affiliation: Department of Radioactive Intervention, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. yangyefa55@163.com.
authors.forename: Yefa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015996:Survival Rate; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C486413:FOXF2 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering