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Intracellular localization of beta-catenin expression plays a possible prognostic role on the outcome of hepatoblastoma patients

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Abstract

Purpose

Wnt/Beta-catenin pathway plays an essential role in liver development and regeneration. Abnormal activation in this pathway leads to development of hepatoblastoma (HB). Although its importance has invoked attention, its prognostic role is debatable. We aimed to evaluate the significance of intracellular localization of beta-catenin (BC) expression in the outcome of hepatoblastoma patients.

Methods

Medical records of HB patients between 2004 and 2018 were reviewed. Patients were grouped according to intracellular localization of BC expression by immunohistochemistry as being cytoplasmic or nuclear. Demographics, radiological images, PRETEXT classifications, vascular involvement, risk groups, chemotherapy responses, and survival rates were analyzed and compared between groups.

Results

There were 41 patients. Thirteen patients were excluded for unavailability of records in four, negative/unclear BC expressions in seven. Cytoplasmic expression of BC was observed in 17 patients whereas 13 patients displayed nuclear expression. Demographics were similar in both groups. Cytoplasmic BC expression was associated with poor chemotherapy response (p = 0.001) and increased vascular involvement (p = 0.0162) requiring more extensive surgeries (p = 0.039).

Conclusion

Although the numbers are limited in our series, the intracellular localization of BC expression has been found to be a promising determining factor for hepatoblastoma prognosis. With larger patient series, more reliable results can be achieved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey

    Ulgen Celtik, Zafer Dokumcu, Emre Divarci, Ahmet Celik & Orkan Ergün

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey

    Ezgi Guler

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey

    Eda Ataseven

  4. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey

    Deniz Nart & Funda Yilmaz

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  1. Ulgen Celtik
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  2. Zafer Dokumcu
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Correspondence to Orkan Ergün.

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This study was carried out by the Departments of Pediatric Surgery, Pathology, and Radiology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine in concordance with international ethical standards and the World Health Organization Helsinki Declaration. It was approved by Institutional Review Board and Ege University Research Ethical Committee (19-2T/8).

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Celtik, U., Dokumcu, Z., Divarci, E. et al. Intracellular localization of beta-catenin expression plays a possible prognostic role on the outcome of hepatoblastoma patients. Pediatr Surg Int 36, 817–825 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-020-04672-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-020-04672-6

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