Clinical Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1996. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 25, 1996; 2(2): 112-114
Published online Jun 25, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.i2.112
Clinical significance of expression of metastasis-associated splice variants of CD44 mRNA in early primary liver cancer
Peng-Fei Liu, Meng-Chao Wu, Han Cheng, Guang-Xiang Qian, Ji-Liang Fu
Peng-Fei Liu, Meng-Chao Wu, Han Cheng, Guang-Xiang Qian, Ji-Liang Fu, East Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Peng-Fei Liu, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, East Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China
Telephone: +86-21-65347018-77439
Received: November 25, 1995
Revised: February 1, 1996
Accepted: April 10, 1996
Published online: June 25, 1996
Abstract

AIM: To study the clinical significance of the expression of metastasis-associated splice variants of CD44 (CD44v) in early primary liver cancer (PLC).

METHODS: Expression of CD44v mRNA in fresh resected tumor samples from 8 patients with early PLC was detected by RT-PCR. The expression intensity of CD44v mRNA was analyzed on images of Southern hybridization using the Kontron IBAS image analysis system. Meanwhile, the pathological evidence of metastasis was studied by microscopy.

RESULTS: All samples of early PLC expressed CD44v mRNA. The expression intensities of CD44v mRNA showed positive correlation with evidence of metastasis (deficiency of tumor capsule, penetration of tumor capsule, tumor emboli in portal vein and daughter tumor nodules near main mass, etc.) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Expression of CD44v mRNA may be a useful indicator of the metastatic potential of early PLC.

Keywords: Liver neoplasms; RNA, messenger; CD44; Neoplasms metastasis