Expression and clinical significance of certain apoptosis and angiogenesis factors in hepatocellular carcinoma

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.