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Expressions of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 and Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule are Linked with Aggressive Local Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy

  • Hepatobiliary Tumors
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely used therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several reports have demonstrated the aggressive local recurrence of HCC after RFA, suggesting that induction of further malignant transformation of HCC has occurred.

Methods

Eighty-eight (88) patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection were included in this study. Hepatectomy was indicated for local recurrence of HCC after RFA (n = 10, RFA group) and for HCC without prior RFA (n = 78, non-RFA group). Clinicopathological data and the patient’s prognosis after hepatectomy were compared between the two groups. Expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), CD44, and vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (mRNA) in the tumor tissues were also examined.

Results

The RFA group showed higher frequency of portal vein invasion and less tumor differentiation compared with the non-RFA group (p < 0.05). Overall and disease-free survival rates in the RFA group were significantly worse than those in the non-RFA group (p < 0.05). HIF-1 and EpCAM mRNA expression levels in the RFA group were significantly higher than those in the non-RFA group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results suggest that local HCC recurrence after RFA shows an aggressive tumor phenotype and poor prognosis through the enhanced expressions of HIF-1 and EpCAM in the residual HCC tumors after insufficient or sub-lethal treatment by RFA.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ms. Nami Harada and Aki Matsumoto for their support in the performance of this study.

Disclosure

Shinichiro Yamada and co-authors have no financial interest linked to this work

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Digestive and Pediatric Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima City, Tokushima, Japan

    Shinichiro Yamada MD, Tohru Utsunomiya MD, PhD, Yuji Morine MD, PhD, Satoru Imura MD, PhD, Tetsuya Ikemoto MD, PhD, Yusue Arakawa MD, PhD, Mami Kanamoto MD, PhD, Shuichi Iwahashi MD, PhD, Yu Saito MD, PhD, Chie Takasu MD, PhD, Daichi Ishikawa MD & Mitsuo Shimada MD, PhD

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  1. Shinichiro Yamada MD
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  2. Tohru Utsunomiya MD, PhD
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  12. Mitsuo Shimada MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Mitsuo Shimada MD, PhD.

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Yamada, S., Utsunomiya, T., Morine, Y. et al. Expressions of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 and Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule are Linked with Aggressive Local Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy. Ann Surg Oncol 21 (Suppl 3), 436–442 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-014-3575-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-014-3575-z

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