RhoA gene expression and clinicopathology parameters in HCC patients / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of RhoA gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to discuss its significance during hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Methods Intratumor RhoA expression level was determined and compared with that in adjacent nontumorous hepatic tissues using quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot in 64 HCC patients. Results The mRNA levels of RhoA were significantly higher in tumor tissues than that in the unaffected portions (t =3.445 ,P =0.0006). The expression of RhoA mRNA in the primary lesion was higher in patients with venous invasion (t = 2.667, P = 0.009), microscopic satellite lesions (t=2.172,P =0.038), and advanced pTNM stage (stage Ⅱ/Ⅳ; t=2.551,P=0.013) than in those without. There was a significant difference between high RhoA protein levels in the tumor tissues and noncancerous liver tissues in HCC patients (t = 3.532, P = 0.0002), and there was a significant association between high tumor RhoA protein levels and the presence of venous invasion (t = 2.087, P = 0.042), microscopic satellite lesions (t = 2.254, P = 0.031), and advanced pTNM stage (t = 2.812, P = 0.007). Conclusions There is a significant correlation between RhoA expression, tumor stage, and intrahepatic metastasis. The expression of RhoA could be used as a good tumor marker for invasive and advanced carcinoma as well as a prognosis predictor.