Objective: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of some apoptosis and angiogenesis factors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: The expression of p53, Survivin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 90 specimens of HCC was detected by immunohistochemistry. Correlations of the factors to the recurrence of HCC after hepatectomy were analyzed.
Results: The positive rate of p53, Survivin, MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in HCC tissue was 33.3%, 51.1%, 60.0%, 37.8% and 76.7%, respectively. Of the 5 factors, positive correlation only occurred between the expression of MMP-2 and VEGF, MMP-9 and VEGF. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF was correlated to the recurrence of HCC. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year tumor-free survival rates were significantly higher in MMP-2 (-) group than in MMP-2 (+) group, and the same results were found with MMP-9 and VEGF. Multivariate analysis revealed that macroscopically disseminated nodules, tumor micrometastasis, serum alpha fetal protein (AFP) level, the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF were independent recurrence risk factors in HCC.
Conclusions: Neither p53 nor Survivin is correlated to the recurrence of HCC; MMPs and VEGF are correlated to the recurrence, and can be used to estimate the risk of postoperative recurrence of HCC.