Clinical Study On Expression Of PTEN, P27 Suppressor Gene In Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expression of tumor suppressor gene PTEN, p27 in hepatocellular carcinoma and the relationship with clinic pathologic characters and the significance in evaluating prognosis. Methods: From January 2000 to August 2001, 45 cases of hepatocellular carcinomas were accepted in the department of general surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of AnHui Medical University. 39 male and 6 female, the average age was 48.2 years. The hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into several groups according to age, sex , HBsAg, AFP, tumor size, capsule formation, portal vein tumor thrombus , number of primary tumor and recurrence or not. The expressions of PTEN and p27 were detected with immunohistochemistry S-P method. Results: The expression of PTEN protein in 5 cases of normal liver issues is strongly positive. The positive expression rates of PTEN and p27 in 45 cases of HCC are 51.11%, 40% respectively, which were much lower than that in normal liver issues (100% and 100%) and in hepatocirrhosis (90% and 100%) (P<0.01, P<0.05). The positive rates of PTEN and p27 in well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma are 71.4% and 71.4%, while which in poorly differentiated are 63.6%, 45.4%, and in poorly differentiated are 25%, 18.7% respectively. The positive rates of PTEN and p27 are significantly correlated with the different differentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma (P<0.01). Moreover the positive rates and its intensity of the expression of PTEN and p27 in hepatocellular carcinoma are significantly connected with the diameter of tumor (P<0.05) and cancerous embolus. The positive expression and its intensity in thehepatocellular carcinoma which was less 5 cm in diameter, well differentiated, and hadno cancerous embolus was significantly higher than that in the hepatocellular carcinoma which was above 5 cm in diameter poorly differentiated and had cancerous embolus .The positive correlation was found between the expression of PTEN and p27 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Multivariate analysis by COX's proportional hazards model showed that the expression of PTEN and p27 prove to be valuable in prognosis assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion: The results suggest that there is higher ratio of the low and lack expression of PTEN, p27 in hepatocellular carcinoma .The expression of PTEN and p27 in hepatocellular carcinoma is strikingly related to its cell-differentiated, pathologic features, etc. The expression of PTEN and p27 plays an important role in the progress and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Positive correlation was found between them. The expression of PTEN and p27 may prove to be valuable in the development and prognosis assessment of primary hepartocellular carcinoma.