Expressions of Raf kinase inhibitor protein and P-ERK in hepatocellular carcinoma and their significance / 肿瘤

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) and phosphorylated-extracellular signal regulated kinase (P-ERK) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlations with the invasion and metastasis of HCC. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of RKIP and P-ERK in HCC tissues, paracancerous tissues, and normal liver tissues. Statistical analysis was used to determine the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological parameters. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that RKIP-positive staining rate was lower in tumor tissues than that in tumor-surrounding tissues and in normal liver tissues. But P-ERK-positive staining rate was significantly higher in tumor tissues than that in tumor-surrounding tissues and normal liver tissues. The difference was significant. RKIP expression had negative correlation with P-ERK expression (r = - 0.227, P = 0.039); RKIP expression in HCC was associated with intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis and tumor differentiation (P < 0.05). P-ERK expression in HCC was related with tumor differentiation, tumor thrombosis, and intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicate that down-regulation or loss of RKIP expression is closely related with HCC development and progression. The down-regulation or loss of RKIP expression stimulates migration and metastasis of HCC by up-regulating P-ERK expression.