The Expression of Apolipoprotein D in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
- Author:
Hongxiu HAN
1
;
Chan Kum PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Carcinoma, hepatocellular;
Apolipoproteins D;
Disease progression
- MeSH:
Apolipoproteins;
Apolipoproteins D;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular;
Disease Progression;
Genes, Tumor Suppressor;
Humans
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2010;44(2):187-190
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein D (Apo D) has recently been identified as a novel tumor suppressor gene. Apo D may have a profound effect on the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate the expression of Apo D in hepatocellular carcinoma and to investigate the relationship between the expression of Apo D and the clinicopathological characteristics and the patients' survival. METHODS: An immunohistochemical study was performed on the tumors and tissues from 43 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with controls to determine the expression of Apo D protein. RESULTS: Our data showed that a higher expression of Apo D was seen in 10 of 43 cases (23.3%), while a lower and no expression of Apo D was observed in 28 of 43 cases (65.1%) and 5 of 43 cases (11.6%), respectively. A reduced expression of Apo D was correlated with the tumor stage (p = 0.037) and tumor size (p = 0.017). However, the patients' 5-year survival was not associated with the expression of Apo D (p = 0.903). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a reduced Apo D protein expression may play an important role in HCC progression as associated with the tumor stage and size, but it does not affect the survival of HCC patients.
