Expression and significance of uPAR and VEGF-C in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its effect on the biological behavior of HCC. Methods The expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in liver tissue specimen of 33 patients with HCC was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results The positive expression of uPAR and VEGF-C in HCC tissues was located in cytoplasma of cancer cells. The positive rates of uPAR and VEGF-C were 69.7 %(23/33) and 78.8 %(26/33) respectively in 33 cases of HCC. The expression rates of uPAR and VEGF-C were significantly higher in HCC with metastasis than in HCC without metastasis(P<0.05). But there were not significant correlation between the expression of uPAR or VEGF-C and tumor size, tumor grade, AFP level, hepatic cirrhosis. There was a close correlation between uPAR and VEGF-C in HCC(r=0.676, P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of uPAR and VEGF-C is correlated with metastasis, uPAR and VEGF-C may be signs of aggressive phenotype for evaluating treatment and prognosis of HCC. Examination of these two proteins may be helpful to .judge biological behavior of HCC. Key words: Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Urinary plasminogen activator; Vascular endothelial growth factor; immunohistochemistry