Abstract 3961: Utility of mir-21 detection by rapid chromogenic in-situ hybridization in the diagnosis of well and moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Background: An estimated 80-90% of all hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) arise from cirrhotic liver in chronic hepatitis B or C infection. Identifying well-differentiated HCC arising in the background of cirrhosis is a challenging task relying solely on morphology of core biopsies. In addition, presence of dysplasia (micro/macro) in cirrhotic nodules makes the task more difficult. In HCC, microRNAs (miRNAs) have an aberrant expression profile with possible applications in diagnosis, especially for early, symptomatic disease. Sub-cellular and tissue localization of miRNAs may help us understand their biological roles and contribution to disease along with aiding diagnosis. Design: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of mir-21 detection by rapid chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH) as a diagnostic tool in the setting of well and moderately differentiated HCCs. Archival blocks and slides were retrieved and reviewed after obtaining IRB approval (table 1). Manufacturers guidelines were followed for CISH (NAR-1, FAM-labeled Has-miR-21 probe) on a total of 202 cases. Nuclear mir-21 CISH stain was graded as: negative (-), weak (1+), moderate (2+) or strong (3+) and distribution was graded as: focal (<10%), multifocal (10-50%) or diffuse (>50%). Table 1.Table showing cases considered for mir-21 detection by CISH.HistologyNumber of casesHCC150Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma12Metastases from colonic adenocarcinoma23Metastases from gallbladder adenocarcinoma5Normal liver tissue12 Results: Neoplastic cells in HCC showed a strong (2-3) multifocal to diffuse nuclear staining for mir-21 in 100% of the cases of whole tissue slides and 91% of HCC cases in tissue microarray slides when compared to the staining pattern seen in normal liver cells (0%). As expected, 85% of cases with liver metastases from colonic and gallbladder adenocarcinoma showed strong nuclear staining for mir-21. Conclusion: Rapid CISH technique can clearly identify increased nuclear expression of mir-21 and aid in diagnosis of well and moderately differentiated HCC. Citation Format: Ravindra Kolhe, Amyn Rojiani, Ashis Mondal, Abhishek A. Mangaonkar. Utility of mir-21 detection by rapid chromogenic in-situ hybridization in the diagnosis of well and moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3961. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3961