Significance of serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection

Chau, G.-Y.; Lui, W.-Y.; Chi, C.-W.; Chau, Y.-P.; Li, A.-F.; Kao, H.-L.; Wu, C.-W.

doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2006.12.007

« Previous Next »European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume 34, Issue 3 , Pages 333-338, March 2008

Significance of serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection

G.-Y. Chau
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 201, Shih-pai Road, Section 2, Shih-pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +886 2 2875 7652; fax: +886 2 2875 7537.
W.-Y. Lui
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 201, Shih-pai Road, Section 2, Shih-pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan
C.-W. Chi
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 201, Shih-pai Road, Section 2, Shih-pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan
Y.-P. Chau
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Li-Nong Street, Section 2, Peitou, Taipei 112, Taiwan
A.-F. Li
- Department of Pathology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 201, Shih-pai Road, Section 2, Shih-pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan
H.-L. Kao
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 201, Shih-pai Road, Section 2, Shih-pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan
C.-W. Wu
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 201, Shih-pai Road, Section 2, Shih-pai, Taipei 112, Taiwan

Accepted 5 December 2006.

Abstract

Background

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent hepatocyte mitogen and may stimulate the proliferation and invasiveness of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through the c-met receptor. This study evaluates the significance of serum HGF levels in patients undergoing HCC resection.

Study design

The peripheral and portal sera and HCC and non-tumorous tissues of 40 HCC patients, with tumor TNM stage I (n=12), II (n=17), and III (n=11) diseases, who underwent hepatic resection were prospectively collected. Serum HGF levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The c-met protein expressions were examined by immunohistochemistry. Median follow-up time was 69months.

Results

The prehepatectomy portal HGF levels (median, 622pg/mL) were significantly higher than peripheral HGF levels (564pg/mL) (P=0.026). The posthepatectomy portal HGF levels (699pg/mL) were significantly higher than prehepatectomy portal HGF levels (P<0.001). C-met expression was detected in 87.5% HCC and in 85.0% non-tumorous liver tissues. By Cox multivariate analysis, posthepatectomy portal HGF level >699pg/mL (P<0.001), multiple tumors (P=0.042), and TNM stages II (P=0.019) and III (P=0.009) were independent factors related with survival. Patients with a posthepatectomy portal HCG level >699pg/mL and with a positive c-met expression in HCC tissue have the worst survival.

Conclusions

In HCC patients, high peripheral and portal HGF serum levels related with poor prognosis after hepatic resection. Hepatocyte growth factor and c-met receptor can be targets of future HCC postoperative treatment.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Hepatocyte growth factor, C-met receptor, Hepatectomy, Prognosis