Abstract
The vanilloid receptor-1 (VR1) is a ligand-gated, nonselective cation channel expressed predominantly by sensory neurons, but is also involved in carcinogenesis. To elucidate its role in hepatocarcinogenesis, we analyzed the expression of VR1 receptor in tumor and nontumor tissues from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples. In situ hybridization analysis showed overexpression of VR1 mRNAs in 9/15 (60.0%) noncancer and 6/15 (40.0%) HCC samples. Immunohistochemistry of 62 HCC samples showed the expression of VR1 increased from normal liver or chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis. Marked expression of VR1 was noted in the majority [31/38 (81.6%)] of cirrhotic liver samples. In HCC, high expression of VR1 was observed in 30/62 (48.4%) cases. Clinicopathologic evaluation indicated a significant correlation between VR1 expression and histopathologic differentiation ( P=0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that disease-free survival was significantly better in HCC patients with high versus those with low VR1 expression levels ( P= 0.021). Our results indicate that VR1 has anti-HCC progression effects and can be potentially used as a prognostic indicator of HCC. The results suggest the potential beneficiary effects of VR1 expression on the prognosis of patients with HCC.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
