Published online Mar 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i5.676
Revised: December 8, 2003
Accepted: December 15, 2003
Published online: March 1, 2004
AIM: 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.
METHODS: 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.
RESULTS: Among the isoforms of VEGF mRNA, VEGF165 and VEGF121 were expressed. By multivariate analysis, a higher level of VEGF165 in HCC tissue correlated with a significant risk of HCC recurrence (P = 0.038) and significantly with recurrence-related mortality (P = 0.045); while VEGF121 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.
CONCLUSION: The expression of VEGF mRNA, especially isoform VEGF165, in HCC tissues, may play a significant and independant role in the prediction of postoperative recurrence of HCC.