[Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene in HCC does not depend on proliferating cell nuclear antigen and P53].

AIM: To investigate the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) gene and its relationship with proliferating cell nuclear antigen and P53. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of hTERT, PCNA and P53 in 42 hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) tissues. The relationship between hTERT expression, pathological characters of HCC and PCNA and P53 expression was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression rates of hTERT, PCNA and P53 in HCC tissues were 71.4%(30/42),76.2%(32/42) and 73.8%(31/42), respectively. hTERT was not expressed in normal liver tissues. The expression rates of hTERT gene in HCC tissues of different pathological grades (I, II and III)were 40.0%(4/10), 70.0%(14/20) and 100%(12/12), respectively. The expression of hTERT was correlated with HCC recurrence. CONCLUSION: The expression of hTERT gene may relate to the genesis and progression of HCC. There is no significant correlation between the expression of hTERT and PCNA and P53. The detection of hTERT gene expression may be regarded as a marker for recurrence of HCC.