Preferential expression of prostate specific membrane in CD34 labeled Neo-vasculature of Hepatocellular carcinoma: Prognostic and therapeutic potentials

Abstract

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly prevalent and lethal worldwide. Viral hepatitis related HCC represents 80% of all HCC cases. Eventually, angiogenesis becomes a crucial step in all HCCs. Angiogenetic markers are shared by non-malignant conditions. Finding a marker specifically expressed in tumor-vasculature and predict prognosis can provide optimal guide for decision making and involvement of new therapeutic options. prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a type II transmembrane protein upgraded in many tumours with promising role in prostate cancer as a potential prognostic and therapeutic indicator. However, the role of PSMA in HCC is not widely studied yet. This work aimed at evaluating PSMA expression in HCC. Methodology PSMA immunohistochemical staining was performed on 73 HCC cases to evaluate its expression. Relationship to different clinico-pathologic parameters was assessed statistically. Results PSMA was expressed in tumor-vasculature of HCC with 32% showed high expression. Adjacent non-tumoral tissue showed negative expression for PSMA. PSMA expression was significantly correlated with viral hepatitis related HCC (P=0.03), tumor grade (P=0.07), stage, node and distant metastasis (P=0.001 each). PSMA is the most independent predictor for OS and PFS. Conclusion PSMA is expressed preferentially in tumor-vasculature of HCC with higher expression in viral hepatitis related HCC and correlation with poor prognostic parameters, short OS and PFS. PSMA is considered a promising prognostic and therapeutic marker in HCC especially viral hepatitis related.