AIM: To investigate if loss of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is associated with microinvasion in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in the presence of chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: The expression of EpCAM, cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and CK19 in 112 hepatic nodules was studied, including 20 HCCs with nodules ≤ 3 cm, 26 HCCs with nodules > 3 cm, 20 high-grade dysplastic nodules, 26 cirrhotic, large regenerative nodules and 20 cases of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Membranes of ductular reaction (DR) hepatobiliary cells, interlobular bile duct and some hepatic cells were positive for EpCAM expression. Active expression of DR/EpCAM was observed in the majority of noninvasive nodules (50/66, 75.76%); however, expression was absent in the major area of invasion in HCCs (42/46, 91.30%). DR/EpCAM loss in HCCs ≤ 3 cm was higher than in high-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDNs) (P < 0.05), cirrhotic, large regenerative nodules and cirrhosis (P < 0.01). Furthermore, patients (20 HCCs ≤ 3 cm, 26 HCCs > 3 cm, 20 HGDNs) with DR/EpCAM expression had a higher overall survival rate (P < 0.01) and lower early recurrence rate (P < 0.01). DR/EpCAM expression showed a close relationship with DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 expression (P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of DR/EpCAM was similar to that of DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 (P > 0.05). The diagnostic specificity and diagnostic accuracy were both increased when DR/EpCAM, DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 were combined (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DR/EpCAM loss may be a useful marker for determining microinvasion in HCCs ≤ 3 cm, but also for predicting prognosis.
AIM: To investigate if loss of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is associated with microinvasion in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in the presence of chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: The expression of EpCAM, cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and CK19 in 112 hepatic nodules was studied, including 20 HCCs with nodules ≤ 3 cm, 26 HCCs with nodules > 3 cm, 20 high-grade dysplastic nodules, 26 cirrhotic, large regenerative nodules and 20 cases of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Membranes of ductular reaction (DR) hepatobiliary cells, interlobular bile duct and some hepatic cells were positive for EpCAM expression. Active expression of DR/EpCAM was observed in the majority of noninvasive nodules (50/66, 75.76%); however, expression was absent in the major area of invasion in HCCs (42/46, 91.30%). DR/EpCAM loss in HCCs ≤ 3 cm was higher than in high-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDNs) (P < 0.05), cirrhotic, large regenerative nodules and cirrhosis (P < 0.01). Furthermore, patients (20 HCCs ≤ 3 cm, 26 HCCs > 3 cm, 20 HGDNs) with DR/EpCAM expression had a higher overall survival rate (P < 0.01) and lower early recurrence rate (P < 0.01). DR/EpCAM expression showed a close relationship with DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 expression (P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of DR/EpCAM was similar to that of DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 (P > 0.05). The diagnostic specificity and diagnostic accuracy were both increased when DR/EpCAM, DR/CK7 and DR/CK19 were combined (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DR/EpCAM loss may be a useful marker for determining microinvasion in HCCs ≤ 3 cm, but also for predicting prognosis.
Authors: Young Nyun Park; Masamichi Kojiro; Luca Di Tommaso; Amar P Dhillon; Fukuo Kondo; Masayuki Nakano; Michiie Sakamoto; Neil D Theise; Massimo Roncalli Journal: Cancer Date: 2007-03-01 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Olga Falkowski; Hee Jung An; I Andreea Ianus; Luis Chiriboga; Herman Yee; A Brian West; Neil D Theise Journal: J Hepatol Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 25.083