Correlation of HPA and CXCR4 expressions with the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the expressions of heparanase(HPA) and chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and their correlations with the invasion and metastasis of HCC.Methods:The expressions of HPA and CXCR4 in HCCs,peri-cancerous tissues,and normal liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method.Statistical analysis was used to determine the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological features.Results:HPA and CXCR4 were over-expressed in HCC tissues compared with that in peri-cancerous tissues and normal liver tissues(P0.05).The expressions of HPA in HCC correlated with tumor size,intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis and tumor differentiation(P0.05);the expression of CXCR4 in HCC correlated with intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis and tumor thrombosis(P0.05).There was a positive relationship between HPA and CXCR4 expression(r=0.313,P=0.027).Conclusion:HPA and CXCR4 play a synergistic role in the initiation,progression,invasion,and metastasis of HCC.