Hepatoma-derived growth factor is a novel prognostic factor for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is a nucleus-targeted growth factor playing an important role in the development and progression of cancers. This study investigated the correlation of HDGF expression and prognosis in patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

HDGF expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines was analyzed by Western blotting. HDGF expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for 50 patients with primary ductal carcinoma of the pancreas (33 male and 17 female) ranging in age from 48 to 80 years (median, 65 years) receiving surgical treatment. Cancer cells showing stronger staining than the noncancerous ducts were regarded as positive. Cases showing positive staining in < 90% and > 90% of tumor cells were regarded as HDGF labeling index (LI) levels 1 and 2, respectively. HDGF LI was determined separately for the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

RESULTS:

Western blotting showed HDGF expression in pancreatic cancer cells similar to that of hepatic cell lines. Twenty-three (46%) and 27 (54%) cases and 22 (44%) and 28 (56%) cases showed HDGF LI levels 1 and 2 for the nucleus and the cytoplasm, respectively. Patients with nuclear HDGF LI level 1 showed a significantly better 5-year survival rate (37.0%) than those with level 2 (6.8%; P = 0.023). No significant difference was observed in the cytoplasmic HDGF LI classification. Multivariate analysis revealed nuclear HDGF LI to be an independent prognosticator.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that HDGF could be a novel prognostic factor for pancreatic ductal carcinoma.

• Authors: Hirokazu Uyama, Yasuhiko Tomita, Hideji Nakamura, Shoji Nakamori, Binglin Zhang, Yoshihiko Hoshida, Hirayuki Enomoto, Yorihide Okuda, Masato Sakon, Katsuyuki Aozasa, Ichiro Kawase, Norio Hayashi, Morito Monden
• Journal: Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (Clin Cancer Res) Vol. 12 Issue 20 Pt 1 Pg. 6043-8 (Oct 15 2006) ISSN: 1078-0432 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17062679 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• hepatoma-derived growth factor

Topics

• Aged
• Analysis of Variance
• Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal (mortality, pathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (analysis)
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (mortality, pathology, surgery)
• Prognosis
• Proportional Hazards Models
• Survival Analysis
• Treatment Outcome