Expression of WWOX in hepatocellular carcinoma and resection margin

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of WWOX expression in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and resection margin and explore its relation to postoperative recurrence and prognosis.Methods The expression of WWOX protein was detected with immunohistochemical method-SP in 76 cases of HCC and resection margin and 20 cases of normal liver tissues,while the apoptosis rate was detected with TUNEL method in 76 cases of HCC.The relationship between these data and clinicopathological features was analyzed with SPSS software.Results Abnormal nuclear localization of WWOX protein in HCC and nuclear/ cytoplasm localization in resection margin were detected.The WWOXLI in HCC was 35.2 %±20.1%,lower than those of resection margin and normal liver tissues (P<0.05).The lower level of WWOX expression in HCC was significantly related to the lower apoptosis rate,higher PCNALI,huge tumor,cancerous thrombus in branches of portal vein,lower differentiation,lower survival rate and postoperative recurrence etc.(P<0.05).The WWOX expression level in resection margin was significantly related to postoperative recurrence rate(P<0.05) but not the distance of resection margin.Conclusion The lower expression and abnormal cellular location of WWOX gene in HCC can be a frequent event,which can be related to some biological characteristics of HCC to influence its progress and prognosis.The expression level of WWOX gene in HCC and resection margin may be one of useful indicators in forecasting the progress and prognosis and be used as a safe biomarker of molecular margin. Key words: Carcinoma,hepatocellular; WWOX; Immunohistochemistry; Resection margin; Prognosis