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Overexpression of VEGF is associated with positive p53 immunostaining in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adverse outcome of HCC patients
Author(s) -
Tseng PoLin,
Tai MingHong,
Huang ChaoCheng,
Wang ChihChi,
Lin JuiWei,
Hung ChaoHung,
Chen ChienHung,
Wang JingHoung,
Lu ShengNan,
Lee ChuanMo,
Changchien ChiSin,
Hu TsungHui
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.21109
Subject(s) - hccs , hepatocellular carcinoma , medicine , immunostaining , vascular endothelial growth factor , immunohistochemistry , angiogenesis , pathology , gastroenterology , cancer research , oncology , vegf receptors
Background and Objectives To elucidate the clinicopathological correlations among vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), microvessel density (MVD) and tumor suppressor gene p53 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), we adopted a new definition of “VEGF overexpression.” Methods The expressions of VEGF, MVD, and p53 in 113 HCC specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results VEGF expression in surrounding liver tended to be stronger (VEGF overexpression, 31%) than, or similar to (57%) that in HCCs ( P = 0.001). P53 positivity was noted in 42 cases (37.1%). MVD ranged from 22 to 201 microvessels/field determined for 5 high‐power fields. VEGF expression in HCCs was positively correlated with MVD ( P = 0.001). VEGF overexpression is positively correlated with young age ( P = 0.008), male gender ( P = 0.01), hepatitis B viremia ( P = 0.013), high α‐fetoprotein levels ( P < 0.001), p53 (+) ( P = 0.036), advanced‐stage HCC ( P = 0.015), and HCC dedifferentiation ( P = 0.004). Survival analyses indicated that VEGF overexpression, high MVD, and advanced‐stage HCC were independent poor prognostic factors for disease‐free and overall survival. Conclusion This study provides evidence of a positive association between parameters reflective of angiogenesis, and p53 expression in HCCs. VEGF overexpression exhibited a significant correlation with viremia and survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:349–357. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.