UROKINASE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR, ITS RECEPTOR AND INHIBITOR EXPRESSION IN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA RELATION TO CANCER INVASIVENESS AND PROGNOSIS*
Abstract
Objective: To study the relevance of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 to hepatoceilular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: The expression at protein level of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 was determined in 48 cases of HCC and 12 cases of benign tumors of liver (as control) by immunohistochemistry.
Results: When compared to cancer-adjacent liver tissue and the control, positive rate of immune staining for uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 on cell membrane were significantly higher in HCC cells (P<0.05). Positive staining of uPA and uPAR was seen in 16 of 22 and 19 of 22 cases of HCC with invasion, respectively (P<0.01 and P<0.001). In 8 of 8 cases with cancer embolus, and in 6 of 6 cases with lymph node metastasis was the expression of positive uPAR. Compared with 2 of 17 cases without recurrence, uPAR was positive in 15 of 17 recurrent cases (P<0.01). In 36 cases who survived, 17 was positive uPAR and 15 positive PAI-1, while in 12 cases who died 2 years after surgery, 12 were positive for uPAR and 9 positive PAI-1, respectively (P<0.01 and P<0.05). In 15 positive cases for all three parameters, 11 had cancer invasion and 7 died within 2 years, while in negative cases, 2 had invasion and none died within 2 years (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Expression or uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 is increased in HCC, uPA and uPAR may contribute significantly to HCC invasion and metastasis, uPAR and PAI-1 are associated with poor prognosis of HCC.
Methods: The expression at protein level of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 was determined in 48 cases of HCC and 12 cases of benign tumors of liver (as control) by immunohistochemistry.
Results: When compared to cancer-adjacent liver tissue and the control, positive rate of immune staining for uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 on cell membrane were significantly higher in HCC cells (P<0.05). Positive staining of uPA and uPAR was seen in 16 of 22 and 19 of 22 cases of HCC with invasion, respectively (P<0.01 and P<0.001). In 8 of 8 cases with cancer embolus, and in 6 of 6 cases with lymph node metastasis was the expression of positive uPAR. Compared with 2 of 17 cases without recurrence, uPAR was positive in 15 of 17 recurrent cases (P<0.01). In 36 cases who survived, 17 was positive uPAR and 15 positive PAI-1, while in 12 cases who died 2 years after surgery, 12 were positive for uPAR and 9 positive PAI-1, respectively (P<0.01 and P<0.05). In 15 positive cases for all three parameters, 11 had cancer invasion and 7 died within 2 years, while in negative cases, 2 had invasion and none died within 2 years (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Expression or uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 is increased in HCC, uPA and uPAR may contribute significantly to HCC invasion and metastasis, uPAR and PAI-1 are associated with poor prognosis of HCC.