Loss of fragile histidine triad expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of fragile histidine triad (Fhit) gene protein and explore possible relationship between Fhit expression and clinicopathological indices in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Fhit protein expression was detected by citrate-microwave-SP immunohistochemical method in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples of HCC from 83 patients. Meanwhile, the relation of Fhit expression to histological grade, clinical stage and tumor size was analyzed. Results Compared with the abutting non-neoplastic tissues, a marked loss or absence of Fhit expression was found in 65.2% of the HCC samples. The carcinoma with reduced expression of Fhit was corresponding to clinical stage (P0.01) and tumor size (P0.05) but not to histological grade (P0.05). Conclusions The reduced expression of Fhit may be associated with carcinogenesis, clinical stage and tumor size in HCC. The decreased Fhit expression plays an important role in development and progression of the tumor. Therefore, Fhit expression might be used as a new prognostic marker for HCC.