c-MET and HGF mRNA expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathological features and survival.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Data on the clinicopathological features and prognostic impact of c-N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine HOS Transforming gene (c-MET) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are inconsistent. We assessed c-MET and HGF expression in 49 patients with early-stage HCC and correlated the results with disease characteristics and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of c-MET and HGF mRNA in tumor (T) and non-tumor (NT) tissues was assessed. Results were correlated with patient characteristics and overall and recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Median relative tumor c-MET and HGF expressions were 3.23 (T/NT ratio 6.46) and 9.07 (T/NT ratio 0.77), respectively. c-MET and HGF were overexpressed in early-stage disease with favorable characteristics although there was no association with survival. CONCLUSION: Contrary to other studies, in our series increased tumor c-MET and HGF expressions were associated with favorable disease attributes but not with survival. The prognostic and therapeutic applications of this knowledge to HCC are under active investigation.

Duke Scholars

Author Peter Allen Surgical Oncology