Is the vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA expression in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma of prognostic value after resection?

Abstract

To study whether vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (VEGF mRNA) in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues obtained after curative resection has a prognostic value. Using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay, VEGF mRNA was determined prospectively in liver tissues of 50 controls and in HCC tissues of 50 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection for HCC. Among the isoforms of VEGF mRNA, VEGF(165) and VEGF(121) were expressed. By multivariate analysis, a higher level of VEGF(165) in HCC tissue correlated with a significant risk of HCC recurrence (P=0.038) and significantly with recurrence-related mortality (P=0.045); while VEGF(121) did not. Other significant predictors of HCC recurrence included cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.033), an absent or incomplete capsule (P=0.020), vascular permeation (P=0.018), and daughter nodules (P=0.006). The other significant variables of recurrence related mortality consisted of vascular permeation (P=0.045), and cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.053). The level of VEGF mRNA in HCC tissues, however, did not significantly correlate with tumor size, cellular differentiation, capsule, daughter nodules, vascular permeation, necrosis and hemorrhage of tumors. The expression of VEGF mRNA, especially isoform VEGF(165), in HCC tissues, may play a significant and independent role in the prediction of postoperative recurrence of HCC.