Abstract
307 Background: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) mediates the intracellular effects of IL-12, leading to the production of IFN-γ and cytotoxicity. However, the significance of STAT4 expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the association of STAT4 expression with cellular immunity and clinicopathological factors in HCC. Methods: A total of 66 HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection were enrolled. RT-PCR was performed to determine STAT4 mRNA and IFN gamma mRNA expression. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine CD8+ T cells. Results: STAT4 was differentially expressed in tumor and non-tumor tissues (p < 0.01), and positively correlated with IFN gamma and CD8+ T-cell infiltration (p < 0.01). Significant correlations were observed between STAT4 expression and tumor TNM stage, hepatic venous invasion, tumor size, and tumor differentiation. Patients with high STAT4 expression had significantly better disease-free survival (p < 0.01). In addition, low STAT4 expression (p < 0.03) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. Conclusions: Down-regulation of STAT4 in HCC indicated aggressive tumor behavior and predicted worse clinical outcome. STAT4 might be a useful biomarker to identify patients with high risk of tumor recurrence after hepatic resection.
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