It is estimated that there are about 0. 17 billion HCV infection cases worldwide. HCV sub-genotype 1b and 2a have been the most common genotypes found in the mainland China. The positive rate of HCV antigen in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)/corresponding non-cancer liver tissues in China is between 36. 2% (25/69)-72. 7% (48/66), which is associated with different detection methods. HCV associated HCC usually occurs along with chronic hepatitis→cirrhosis pathway. There was no doubt a correlation between the expression of HCV antigen and liver cell transformation, and the change of the functions of tumor-associated genes. These results show HCV is an important risk factor for development of HCC.

Background and purpose:It has be reported that the activation of EGFR-STAT3 signal transduction pathway is involved in oncogenesis of many cancers.This study was to investigate whether EGFR-STAT3 pathway plays a role in the carcinogenesis of hepatoma in rats.Methods:Hepatoma induced by 3'Me-DAB was used as a model.EGFR,TGF?,STAT3,p-STAT3 in different stages of carcinogenesis were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.In situ hybridization was applied to investigate the expression of STAT3 mRNA.The slides were assessed by Carl Zeiss Image Analysis system.The data were statistically evaluated.Results:EGFR,TGF?,STAT3 were highly expressed at the stages of liver necrosis and repair.the expression of EGFR,TGFa,STAT3 and p-STAT3 has been found in all hepatomas and the levels of EGFR and TGFa were statistically higher than that in normal tissue,similarlly the STAT3 mRNA and protein level in hepatoma was much higher than in normal tissue(P

PURPOSE To investigate the application of CLSM in tumor pathology with the three dimensional reconstruction by confocal laser scanning microscopy in routine pathologic specimens of HCC, METHODS 30 ?m thick sections were cut from the paraffin-embedded tissues of HCC. hyperplasia and normal liver, stained with the DNA fluorescent probe YOYO-1 iodide and examined by CLSM to collect optical sections and 3D reconstructed images. RESULTS HCC displayed chaotic arrangement of carcinoma cell nuclei, marked pleomorphism. indented and irregular nuclear surface, and irregular and coarse chromatin texture. CONCLUSION The serial optical tomograms of CLSM can be used to create 3D reconstruction of cancer cells. Such 3D impressions might be helpful or even essential in arriving at an exact diagnosis

AIM: To investigate the expression of MAT1 protein in pancreatic cancers and the relationship between MAT1 and clinicopathological features of pancreatic cancers. METHODS: 94 surgical specimens, including 70 pancreatic cancers, 10 pancreatic benign tumors, 14 chronic pancreatitis and 10 autopsy normal pancreas tissues, were analyzed immunohistochemically, and then MAT1 expression and clinicopathological features were compared. RESULTS: MAT1 was expressed mainly in the cancer cells,and also in the fibroblasts, where it was localized within the cytoplasm and nuclear envelope. MAT1 expression was found in 75.7% (53/70) of the cancers, but not detected or weakly expressed in control tissues. There was a significant difference in expression of MAT1 among the above four tissues (P

AIM: To elucidate the pattern of 5-fluorocytosine(5-FC) induced apoptosis and its role in gene therapy for human pancreatic cancer. METHODS: The human pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells(CEA-producing) were infected with recombinant adenoviruses(Adex1CEA-prCD or Adex1CEA-prZ).Cytosine deaminase(CD) expression was examind by western blot. Apoptosis induced by 5-FC in human pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells genetically modified to express cytosine deaminase was investigated by applying electron microscopy, DNA electrophoresis and flow cytometry analysis techniques. RESULTS: The SW1990 cells infected with Adex1 CEA-prCD were treated with 5-FC at 100 ?mol?L -1 for 48 h, cell apoptosis occurred. Typical apoptosis morphological feature appeared and DNA ladder could be demonstrated on DNA electrophoresis. Apoptosis peak was also showed by flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells accounted for 34.6% of the cell population. Cells in G 1, S and G 2/M phase of cell cycle were 64%, 11% and 7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The apoptosis induced by 5-FC may be a primary mechanism in CD gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.