Galectin-4 expression in early recurrence and/or metastasis after surgery of huge hepatocellular carcinoma,and study of mathematical prediction model

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of galectin-4 protein in huge hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and its correlation with recurrence and/or metastasis after surgery, and to establish the mathematical prediction model. Methods The techniques of tissue microarray and immunohistochemical staining were employed to examine the expression profiles of galectin-4 in specimens(both carcinoma tissues and peri-carcinoma tissues)collected from the 73 patients with recurrence/metastasis(≤12 months) of HCC,and 73 patients with non-recurrent/metastasis HCC,and those in 10 healthy liver tissues.In addition, the implications of galectin-4 and its correlations with other clinicopathological parameters and recurrence/metastasis were also studied. Results The positive rate of galectin-4 in the carcinoma tissues was 39. 0%(57/146), significantly lower than that in the peri-carcinoma tissues(71. 9%, 105/146,P< 0. 05)and the healthy liver tissues(80. 0%, 8/10,P< 0. 05). Galectin-4 protein was expressed in 19. 1%(14/73)of the carcinoma tissues in the recurrence(≤12 months)group,and in 58. 9%(43/73) in the non-recurrence group(P< 0. 05).Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the 1-year disease free survival rate in the negative expression of galectin-4(53. 1%) was significantly lower than that in the positive group(83. 6%, P< 0. 05).Multivariate analysis showed that gender, galectin expression, differentiation and microscopic vascular invasion was independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence(12 months).A mathematical prediction model was established:P= 1/[1+ Exp(2. 963+ sex of B value+ differentiation of B value+ B value of microscopic vascular invasion+ Galectin-4 protein expression in B value)].The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for prediction of HCC recurrence(12 months) was 65. 75%, 83. 56%, and 74. 66% respectively. Conclusion Galectin-4 expression may be associated with early recurrence and/or metastasis after surgery in huge HCC.The mathematical prediction model obtained in this study has a high accuracy, which provides the basis for the postoperative individual predictions of huge HCC. Key words: Galectin-4; Huge hepatocellular carcinoma; Metastasis; Mathematical prediction model