Title: Expression of GPC3 gene in AFP-negative hepatoma and its clinicalimplication
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the expression of GPC3 gene in the AFP negative hepatoma and its clinical implication. Methods Using Northern blot method, GPC3 mRNA in 48 pairs of the tumors and the surrounding nontumor liver tissues was detected. Among the 48 patients with AFP negative hepatoma, 41 were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 4 were intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 2 were metastasis from colorectal carcinoma, and 1 was focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Relationship between GPC3 mRNA expression and clinicopathological features was investigated. Results GPC3 mRNA was detectable in 30 cases of 41 AFP negative HCCs (73.17%), and not in the surrounding nontumor liver tissues. The expression rate of GPC3 mRNA in large tumor (5 cm) was significantly higher than that in small tumor (≤5 cm, 79.31% vs 41.67%, P 0.01). The expression rate of GPC3 mRNA in poorly differentiated HCC was significantly higher than that in well differentiated HCC (76.47% vs 42.86%, P 0.05). The expression of GPC3 mRNA was not correlated with age, sex, HbsAg seropositivity, fibrocapsule, portal venous embolus and intrahepatic metastasis. No GPC3 mRNA was detected in non hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion GPC3 gene was specifically overexpressed in AFP negative HCC, indicating that GPC3 gene might be a new genetic marker of HCC and play important roles in hepatocarcinogenesis.
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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