Des-gamma-carboxyl prothrombin-promoted vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration

Cinobufacini Inhibits Survival and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via c-Met Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the anti-tumor effects of cinobufacini (CINO) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP) and to uncover the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The inhibitory effect of CINO on HCC cell proliferation was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 method, and the apoptosis rate was quantified using flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to investigate the differential expression of proteins associated with cell growth, apoptosis, migration, and invasion pathways after CINO treatment. The therapeutic potential of CINO for HCC was confirmed, and the possibility of combining cinobufacini with c-Met inhibitor for the treatment of primary HCC was further validated by in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

Under the induction of DCP, CINO inhibited the activity of HCC cells, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion. Upon the induction of DCP, CINO regulated c-Met activation and the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways. In a mouse model of HCC, CINO exhibited significant antitumor effects by inhibiting the phosphorylation of c-Met and the downstream PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways in tumor tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

CINO inhibited HCC cell growth, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed HCC cell invasion and migration by targeting c-Met and PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways under DCP induction.

Combined PIVKA II and Vimentin-Guided EMT Tracking in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Combined Biomarker-Guided EMT Tracking in PDAC

"Background/Aim": the current inability to diagnose Pancreatic Cancer Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) at an early stage strongly influences therapeutic strategies. Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence (PIVKA II) showed an accurate diagnostic performance for PDAC. Since circulating PIVKA II has been recently associated with pancreatic origin cells with Vimentin, an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) early activation marker, the aim of this study was to investigate in vivo the combination between the two proteins. "Materials and Methods": we assayed the presence of PIVKA II and Vimentin proteins by using different diagnostic methods. A total of 20 PDAC patients and 10 healthy donors were tested by Western Blot analysis; 74 PDAC patient and 46 healthy donors were assayed by ECLIA and Elisa. "Results": Western Blot analysis showed the concomitant expression of PIVKA II and Vimentin in PDAC patient sera. Immunometric assay performed on a larger cohort of patients demonstrated that 72% of PIVKA II-positive PDAC patients were Vimentin-positive. Additionally, in a group of PDAC patients with PIVKA II levels ≥2070 ng/mL, the percentage of Vimentin-positive subjects reached 84%. "Conclusion": the association between PIVKA II protein and the EMT suggests that this molecule could be considered a marker of the acquisition of an aggressive phenotype.

Association of Serum Levels and Immunohistochemical Labelling of Des-Gamma-Carboxy-Prothrombin in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is one of the main reasons for liver transplantation (LT). Biomarkers, such as alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) and Des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP), can be helpful in defining the recurrence risk post LT. This study aims to evaluate the association between the intensity of DCP immunohistochemical labelling and serum DCP levels in patients undergoing LT for HCC. We carried out a prospective monocentric study including patients who all underwent LT for cirrhosis between 2016 and 2018 and all fell under the Milan criteria. The accepted diagnostic criteria for HCC were contrast-enhanced imaging and histology. Thirty-nine patients were followed for a median of 21 months, with HCC lesions categorized into negative, focally positive, and diffusely positive groups based on DCP immunohistochemistry. The serum DCP levels were significantly higher in the positive groups (258 mAU/mL for the focally and 257 mAU/mL for the diffusely positive) than in the negative group (48 mAU/mL) (p = 0.005) at diagnosis and at the time of liver transplantation (220 mAU/mL for the diffuse positive group). Microvascular invasion (58.8% vs. 19.0% for the diffusely positive and negative groups, respectively, p < 0.001) and lesion size (20 mm in the diffusely labelled group versus 12 mm in the other groups, p = 0.002) were significantly correlated with DCP labelling. Late recurrence occurred only in the positive groups; in the negative group, it occurred within the first 3 months after transplantation. DCP labelling in liver lesions correlates with serum levels and a more aggressive tumour profile. Further investigation is needed to determine if highly DCP-labelled tumours allow for the better selection of high-risk patients before LT.

Diagnostic performance of PIVKA-II in identifying recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma following curative resection: a retrospective cohort study

Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) plays a critical role in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, studies on its efficacy in diagnosing recurrent HCC were rarely found. A multicenter, retrospective, and observational study was conducted. During the overall follow-up of 5 years, HCC patients who had curative resection were monitored every 3 months in the first year post-surgery and every 6 months thereafter if no recurrence occurred. Tumor markers were collected at the diagnosis of recurrence for those with recurrence and at the last follow-up for those without recurrence. The median serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP in the recurrence group were significantly higher than those in the non-recurrence group (PIVKA-II: 84.62 vs. 18.76 mAU/ml, p < 0.001; AFP: 4.90 vs. 3.00 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and there is a significant correlation between PIVKA-II and AFP (R = 0.901, p < 0.001). PIVKA-II showed better accuracy than AFP in the diagnosis of overall recurrent HCC (AUC: 0.883 vs. 0.672; p < 0.0001), but also in patients with negative PIVKA-II before curative resection (AUC: 0.878 vs. 0.680, p = 0.001). Clinician should pay more attention to serum PIVKA-II values when following patients after curative HCC resection to detect early recurrence.Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2300070874.

Effect of PIVKA-II and AFP secretion status on early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after open and laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) and Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have been widely used as diagnostic markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the prognostic values of the two serum markers and their clinical usefulness in patient selection for different surgical approaches remain largely unclear.

METHODS

HCC patients received surgical treatment between 2015 and 2019 were included. Patients were divided into four statuses according to the serum PIVKA-II and AFP secretion status: PIVKA-II (-) AFP (-) (status 1); PIVKA-II (+) AFP (-) (status 2); PIVKA-II (-) AFP (+) (status 3); PIVKA-II (+) AFP (+) (status 4). Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted to compare the survivals of the four groups and the HCC patients received different surgical interventions; time-dependent AUC curves were introduced to evaluate the prognostic value of the PIV-AFP status; Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic indexes for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

A total of 518 patients were included. Patients with PIVKA-II (+) and APF (+) presented significantly decreased OS and RFS comparing to the other statuses. The areas under ROC curves of PIV-AFP status in predicting OS and RFS were superior to the PIVKA-II or the AFP alone. The HCC patients in early stages with PIVKA-II (+) and APF (+) had worse RFS when received laparoscopic hepatectomy than those who received open hepatectomy, whereas there was no difference in other secretion statuses. The PIVKA-II (+) and AFP (+) secretion status was an independent risk factor for OS, RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

The PIV-AFP secretion status is of favorable clinical utility in predicting the OS and RFS of the HCC patients; extra caution is needed when applicated the laparoscopic approach in the HCC patients with PIVKA-II (+) and AFP (+).

Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence II: A Potential Biomarker to Differentiate Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma from Pancreatic Benign Lesions and Predict Vascular Invasion

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor with a poor prognosis. Serum biomarker carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) was the only well-established biomarker for PDAC with inadequate efficacy. This present study aimed to determine the ability of PIVKA-II to discriminate PDAC from pancreatic benign lesions and predict vascular invasion preoperatively.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pancreatic surgery from 2017 to 2020 were enrolled. We examined the differential diagnostic ability of protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II), CA19-9, and their combination and 138 with PDAC evaluated the predictive value of PIVKA-II for vascular invasion in PDAC.

METHODS

A total of 138 patients with PDAC and 90 patients with pancreatic benign lesions who underwent pancreatic surgery from 2017 to 2020 were enrolled. The clinicopathological characteristics were recorded.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in levels of serum PIVKA-II between PDAC patients and patients with pancreatic benign lesions (p < 0.001). When the cut-off value was set to 28.9 mAU/mL according to the ROCs, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of PIVKA-II were 0.787, 68.1%, and 83.3%, respectively. The combined PIVKA-II and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) enhanced the diagnostic accuracy, and the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.945, 87.7%, and 94.4%, respectively. PIVKA-II > 36.4 mAU/mL were independent predictive factors of vascular invasion in PDAC (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

PIVKA-II was a potential diagnostic biomarker to differentiate PDAC from pancreatic benign lesions. PIVKA-II was complementary to CA19-9, and the combination enhanced the differential diagnostic performance. PIVKA-II > 36.4 mAU/mL was an independent predictive factor of vascular invasion in PDAC.

Microvascular invasion risk scores affect the estimation of early recurrence after resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a histological factor that is closely related to the early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection. To investigate whether a noninvasive risk score system based on MVI status can be established to estimate early recurrence of HCC after resection.

METHODS

Between January 2018 to March 2021, a total of 108 patients with surgically treated single HCC was retrospectively included in our study. Fifty-one patients were pathologically confirmed with MVI and 57 patients were absent of MVI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of preoperative laboratory and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features were used to screen noninvasive risk factors in association with MVI in HCC. Risk scores based on the odds ratio (OR) values of MVI-related risk factors were calculated to estimate the early recurrence after resection of HCC.

RESULTS

In multivariate logistic regression analysis, tumor size > 2 cm (P = 0.024, OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.19-11.13), Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II > 32 mAU/ml (P = 0.001, OR 4.13, 95% CI 1.23-11.38), irregular tumor margin (P = 0.018, OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.16-8.31) and apparent diffusion coefficient value < 1007 × 10^- 3mm²/s (P = 0.035, OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.14-7.71) were independent risk factors correlated to MVI in HCC. Risk scores of patients were calculated and were then categorized into high or low-risk levels. In multivariate cox survival analysis, only high-risk score of MVI was the independent risk factor of early recurrence (P = 0.009, OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.20-3.69), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.52, 0.88, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A risk score system based on MVI status can help stratify patients in high-risk of early recurrence after resection of HCC.

The potential of PIVKA-II as a treatment response biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective United Kingdom cohort study

Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II) has recently been validated internationally as a diagnostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as part of the GALAD model. However, its role as a treatment response biomarker has been less well explored. We, therefore, undertook a prospective study at a tertiary centre in the UK to evaluate the role of PIVKA-II as a treatment response biomarker in patients with early, intermediate and advanced stage HCC. In a cohort of 141 patients, we found that PIVKA-II levels tracked concordantly with treatment response in the majority of patients, across a range of different treatment modalities. We also found that rises in PIVKA-II levels almost always predated radiological progression. Among AFP non-secretors, PIVKA-II was found to be informative in 60% of cases. In a small cohort of patients undergoing liver transplantation, pre-transplant PIVKA-II levels predicted for microvascular invasion and poorer differentiation. Our results demonstrate the potential utility of PIVKA-II as a treatment response biomarker and in predicting microvascular invasion, in a Western population. PIVKA-II demonstrated improved performance over AFP but, as a single biomarker, its performance was still limited. Further larger prospective studies are recommended to evaluate PIVKA-II as a treatment response biomarker, within the GALAD model.

Progression of Prothrombin Induced by Vitamin K Absence-II in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to the lack of efficient tools for early detection, asymptomatic HCC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to a poor prognosis. To improve survival, serum biomarker prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) was under investigation. PIVKA-II is an abnormal protein produced in HCC. The coagulation function was insufficient due to the lack of Gla residues. Elevated PIVKA-II was associated with bad tumor behavior in terms of proliferation, metastasis, and invasion. Three major signaling pathways were proposed to clarify the mechanism. With the advantages including affordability, minimal invasiveness, convenience, and efficiency, PIVKA-II could improve HCC management consisting of four aspects. First, PIVKA-II was an effective and dynamic tool for improving HCC surveillance in high-risk population. Changes in the serum levels of PIVKA-II provided valuable molecular alteration information before imaging discovery. Second, PIVKA-II offered a complementary approach for HCC early detection. Compared to traditional diagnostic approaches, the combination of PIVKA-II and other biomarkers had better performance. Third, PIVKA-II was an indicator for the assessment of response to treatment in HCC. Preoperative assessment was for selecting personalized therapy, and postoperative measurement was for assessing treatment efficacy. Fourth, PIVKA-II was considered as a prognostic predictor for HCC. Patients with elevated PIVKA-II were more likely to develop microvascular invasion, metastasis, and recurrence.

Modeling Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Dynamics by Serological and Imaging Biomarkers to Explain the Different Responses to Sorafenib and Regorafenib

Simple Summary

Systemic therapy in advanced hepatocellular-carcinomas (HCC) has limited benefits, but some patients show partial responses (PR) and a few even a complete response (CR). Understanding the biological mechanisms could help clinicians in decision-making. Aim of this study was to develop a physic-mathematical model to investigate tumor dynamics using α-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) measures combined with digital imaging. The model was set-up in three prototype patients with CR/PR to sorafenib and PR to regorafenib, and then applied in seven patients with different types of response. Overall, the rate constant of cancer cells production ranged between 0.250–0.372 C × day⁻¹. During therapy, neo-angiogenesis reduction was higher in four CR than in four PR or stable disease (SD) and in two non-responders (median: 83.2% vs. 29.4% vs. 2.0%). Tumor vasculature decay appeared accelerated in CR. We conclude that modeling serological and imaging biomarkers could help personalization of systemic therapy.

Abstract

In advanced HCC, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors obtain partial responses (PR) in some patients and complete responses (CR) in a few. Better understanding of the mechanism of response could be achieved by the radiomic approach combining digital imaging and serological biomarkers (α-fetoprotein, AFP and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II, PIVKA-II) kinetics. A physic-mathematical model was developed to investigate cancer cells and vasculature dynamics in three prototype patients receiving sorafenib and/or regorafenib and applied in seven others for validation. Overall four patients showed CR, two PR, two stable-disease (SD) and two progressive-disease (PD). The rate constant of cancer cells production was higher in PD than in PR-SD and CR (median: 0.398 vs. 0.325 vs. 0.316 C × day⁻¹). Therapy induced reduction of neo-angiogenesis was greater in CR than in PR-SD and PD (median: 83.2% vs. 29.4% and 2.0%), as the reduction of cell-proliferation (55.2% vs. 7.6% and 0.7%). An additional dose-dependent acceleration of tumor vasculature decay was also observed in CR. AFP and cancer cells followed the same kinetics, whereas PIVKA-II time/dose dependent fluctuations were influenced also by tissue ischemia. In conclusion, pending confirmation in a larger HCC cohort, modeling serological and imaging biomarkers could be a new tool for systemic therapy personalization.

Development and validation of a nomogram combining hematological and imaging features for preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Background

Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a significant hazard factor that influences the recurrence and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after undergoing hepatectomy. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram that combines hematological and imaging features of HCC patients to preoperatively predict MVI, and investigate the effect of wide resection margin (≥1 cm) on the prognosis of MVI-positive HCC patients.

Methods

A total of 709 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy at the Liver Cancer Institute of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University between June 1, 2015 and December 30, 2016 were included in this study and divided into training (496 patients) and validation cohort (213 patients). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression and multivariable logistic regression were used for variables’ selection and development of the predictive model. The model was presented as a nomogram, and its performance was assessed in terms of discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness.

Results

Independent prognostic factors such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP, >125 U/L), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, within 20–400 or >400 ng/mL), protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (PVIKA-II, within 40–400 or >400 mAU/mL), tumor number, diameter, pseudo-capsule, tumor growth pattern and intratumor hemorrhage were incorporated in the nomogram. The model showed good discrimination and calibration, with a concordance index (0.82, 95% CI, 0.782–0.857) in the training cohort and C-index (0.80, 95% CI, 0.772–0.837) in the validation cohort. Decision curve analysis (DCA) also showed that this model is clinically useful. Moreover, HCC patients with wide resection margin had a significantly lower 3-year recurrence rate than those with narrower resection margin (0.5–1 cm).

Conclusions

This study presents an optimal model for preoperative prediction of MVI and shows that wide resection margin for MVI-positive HCC patients has a better prognosis. This model can help surgeons choose the best treatment options for HCC patients before and after the operation.

Efficacy and safety of sorafenib plus vitamin K treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: A phase II, randomized study

The previous retrospective study suggested that dosing vitamin K may enhance the anticancer action of sorafenib against hepatocellular carcinoma. To confirm it, we performed a phase II, randomized, open‐label study. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were randomly assigned to receive sorafenib + vitamin K2 (menatetrenone, 45 mg daily, orally) or sorafenib only. Between 1 May 2012 and 1 May 2016, 68 patients were screened. Forty‐four eligible patients were assigned at a 1:1 ratio to each cohort. The objective response rate in the vitamin K‐dosed group was significantly higher than that in the sorafenib only group (27.3% vs 4.5%, respectively; p = 0.039). The median time of progression‐free survival was significantly extended in the vitamin K‐dosed group compared with the sorafenib only group (4.9 months vs 2.7 months, respectively; hazard ratio (HR), 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21–0.89; p = 0.018). Although there was no significant difference between the two groups in the median time of overall survival, patients in the vitamin K‐dosed group with a complete response or partial response achieved a significantly extended median time of overall survival compared with the other patients in the vitamin K‐dosed group or the patients in the sorafenib only group (26.1 months vs 9.0 months; HR, 0.34; 95% CI: 0.11–0.95; p = 0.046 or 11.5 months; HR, 0.16; 95% CI: 0.034–0.70; p = 0.006, respectively). Dosing vitamin K could augment the anticancer action of sorafenib against HCC.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma induced by hepatitis C and the relationships of changes in carbohydrate antigen 19-9 with AFP and PIVKA-II

PURPOSE

Assessing the therapeutic effects of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) takes time. Purpose of our study was to explore the relationships of changes in carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) with those in the existing markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The subjects were 16 patients who underwent SBRT for solitary HCC ≤3cm induced by hepatitis C between June 2016 and July 2019. Observation periods ranged from 8-43 (median: 28) months, ages from 59-85 (median: 65) years.

RESULTS

Changes in CA 19-9 levels after SBRT were categorised into three patterns: 1) a transient elevation followed by a decline (75%); 2) a transient decline followed by an elevation (18.8%); and 3) no change (6.3%). Among patients showing a transient CA 19-9 elevation followed by a decline, which was the most frequent pattern, 75% showed these changes in synchronisation with AFP and preceded the changes in PIVKA-II, while in the other 25%, CA 19-9 changes were in synchronisation with PIVKA-II and preceded those in AFP. At the time of recurrence, 62.5% showed a continuous CA 19-9 elevation, either in synchronisation with other markers or by itself.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first investigation of changes in CA 19-9 levels after SBRT for HCC induced by hepatitis C. Characteristic changes in CA 19-9, AFP, and PIVKA-II levels were observed as responses after treatment. As for its correlations with tumour markers, the acute responses of PIVKA-II tended to be slower than those of CA 19-9 and AFP. Although the sample size was small, our findings raise the possibility that measuring these 3 biomarkers after SBRT may be useful for monitoring patients for HCC recurrence.

Risk Factors and Biomarkers for Chronic Hepatitis B Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality. This is, in part, due to delayed diagnosis and limited therapeutic options with more advanced stages of the disease. Given the prognostic importance of early diagnosis, novel methods for early detection are in need. Unlike most other cancer types, tissue is not required to diagnose HCC and is frequently avoided given the inherent risks of liver biopsy, so less invasive methods of obtaining tumor material are currently under investigation. Material shed from tumors into the periphery are being investigated for their potential to both surveil and diagnose patients for HCC. These materials include circulating tumor cells, DNA, RNA, and exosomes, and are collectively termed a “liquid biopsy”. In this review article, we discuss the evolving literature regarding the different risk factors for HCC and the types of emerging novel biomarkers that show promise in the prevention and early diagnosis of HCC within the context of HBV infection.

Correlation between the expressions of circular RNAs in peripheral venous blood and clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Recent studies have reported that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated the expression of preoperative peripheral venous blood circRNAs in HCC patients and their predictive ability for microvascular invasion (MVI).

Methods

Seven circRNAs (circMTO1, circ-10720, circZKSCAN1, cSMARCA5, circHIPK3, circSETD3 and ciRS-7) were screened from the literature as circRNAs with reported biological functions in HCC. The expression levels of seven circRNAs in preoperative blood samples and HCC tissues were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The correlations between the circRNA expressions in blood and the clinicopathological factors of HCC patients were analyzed. The risk factors of MVI were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The functional role of circSETD3 in cell migration and invasion was evaluated by wound healing and Transwell assays in vitro.

Results

The expressions of all seven circRNAs were measured in peripheral venous blood samples. The venous expression levels of circHIPK3 and circMTO1 were significantly associated with gender, while circ-10720 and circMTO1 levels were significantly correlated with gross vascular invasion. Furthermore, circMTO1 and cSMARCA5 levels were significantly associated with alpha-fetoprotein level and ciRS-7 was significantly associated with satellite nodules. Importantly, low venous circSETD3 expression was significantly associated with prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) level, MVI, gross vascular invasion, and liver capsule. Furthermore, venous circSETD3 expression had predictive ability for MVI. Knockdown of circSETD3 promoted cell invasion and metastasis in vitro.

Conclusions

CircRNAs were stably present in peripheral venous blood and associated with multiple clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients. Venous circSETD3 was an independent risk factor of MVI and shows ability to predict MVI in HCC patients before surgery.

Development And Validation Of A Simple Model For Detection Of Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma In A Liver Cirrhosis Cohort

Aim

We aimed to develop a simple model combining protein induced by vitamin K antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to detect early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients.

Method

One hundred and sixty-nine newly diagnosed early HCC patients and 242 LC patients without HCC were enrolled in the current case-control study. All subjects were randomly divided into analysis group and validation group. Serum levels of PIVKA-II, AFP and other laboratory parameters were detected. Chi-squared test, t-test and logistic regression were employed in statistical analysis.

Results

PIVKA-II level in early HCC was significantly higher than that in LC (90.97 mAU/mL vs 18.00 mAU/mL, P < 0.01), as well as AFP level (15.00 ng/mL vs 2.00 ng/mL, P < 0.01) in analysis groups. Multivariate analysis showed that PIVAK-II, AFP, gender, and age were independent risk factors for early HCC detection among LC patients. A logistic regression model and a simple model combining PIVKA and AFP were conducted to detect early HCC. The ROC curve showed that among analysis groups, the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the logistic regression model and the simple model were 0.96 (95% CI 0.94–0.98) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.92–0.97), respectively. At a cut-off value of 56.03 the sensitivity and specificity of the simple model were 81.1% and 91.4%, respectively. In the validation group, the sensitivity and specificity of the simple model was 82.4% and 94.2%, respectively. The two models are comparable statistically for early HCC detection, but the logistic regression requires complex calculation.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that the simple model combining PIVKA-II and AFP has comparable diagnostic efficiency in contrast to the logistic model but is easy to use clinically. It might be helpful for early HCC detection among liver cirrhosis patients.

PIVKA-II level is correlated to development of portal vein tumor thrombus in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim

To evaluate the correlation of serum PIVKA-II levels and development of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-three patients with newly diagnosed HCC were included in this study between March 2016 and October 2018. Thirty-five of these patients were detected with PVTT and all subjects were randomly divided to analysis group (N = 73) and validation (N = 50) group. Serum levels of PIVKA-II, laboratory tests including serum aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, platelet count, albumin levels were demonstrated in all the patients. T-test, chi-squared test and logistic regression was used for analyzing data. Diagnostic efficiency and cut-off value of PIVKA-II in PVTT development of HCC patients were calculated using receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis.

Results

Serum level of PIVKA-II in HCC patients with PVTT was significantly higher than that in HCC patients without PVTT (995.8 mAU/ml vs 94.87 mAU/ml; P = 0.003), as well as D-dimer levels (2.12 mg/L vs 0.56 mg/L P = 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that high serum D-dimer level was an independent risk factor for development of PVTT (OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.02-1.45). ROC curve showed that among analysis group, the area under ROC curve (AUROC) of PIVKA-II was 0.73 (95%CI 0.59-0.86). For the detection of PVTT in HCC, PIVKA-II had a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 69.2% at a cutoff of 221.26 mAU/ml, which had a sensitivity of 85.71% and a specificity of 55.56% in validation group, respectively.

Conclusion

Serum PIVKA-II level is a potential marker for diagnosis of PVTT in HCC patients, which may guide therapeutic strategy and assessment of tumor prognosis of HCC.

mTOR and ERK regulate VKORC1 expression in both hepatoma cells and hepatocytes which influence blood coagulation

Deficiency of γ-glutamyl carboxylation of coagulation factors, as evidenced by the elevated level of Des-γ-carboxyl prothrombin (DCP), is a common feature in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Additionally, treatment of cancer patients with mTOR inhibitors significantly increases hemorrhagic events. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) was found to be significantly down-regulated in clinical hepatoma tissues and most tested hepatoma cell lines. In vitro investigations showed that VKORC1 expression was promoted by p-mTOR at the translational level and repressed by p-ERK at the transcriptional level. By exploring Hras12V transgenic mice, a hepatic tumor model, VKROC1 was significantly down-regulated in hepatic tumors and showed prolonged activated partial prothrombin time (APTT). In vivo investigations further showed that VKORC1 expression was promoted by p-mTOR and repressed by p-ERK in both hepatoma and hepatocytes. Consistently, APTT and prothrombin time were significantly prolonged under the mTOR inhibitor treatment and significantly shortened under the ERK inhibitor treatment. Conclusively, these findings indicate that mTOR and ERK play crucial roles in controlling VKORC1 expression in both hepatoma and hepatocytes, which provides a valuable molecular basis for preventing hemorrhage in clinical therapies.

Impact of etiology of chronic liver disease on hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers

BACKGROUND

The role of serum biomarkers in the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the diagnostic performances of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein-induced by vitamin-K-absence/antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) in 388 cirrhotic patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

METHODS

Biomarkers were quantified by automated chemiluminescent-enzyme-immunoassays (Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan) at HCC diagnosis in 258 patients (204 males; median age 66.9 years) and in 130 cirrhotics without HCC (104 males; median-age 60.6 years). CLD etiology in HCC/non-HCC was CHB in 48/35, CHC in 126/56 and Non-Viral in 84/39.

RESULTS

Overall AUROC values for AFP and PIVKA-II were 0.698 (95%CI = 0.642-0.753, P< 0.001) and 0.780 (95%CI = 0.730-0.831, P< 0.001). AFP/PIVKA-II AUROC (95%CI) were: 0.822 (0.728-0.915)/0.833 (0.739-0.926) in CHB, 0.648 (0.560-0.736)/0.732 (0.650-0.814) in CHC; 0.640 (0.540-0.740)/0.806 (0.722-0.889) in Non-Viral-CLD. AFP/PIVKA-II diagnostic accuracy was 40.5-59.8%/62.7-73.5% and combining both markers 78.2% for CHB, 77% for Non-Viral-CLD and 75% for CHC. AFP correlated with ALT in HCC patients with CHC (ρ= 0.463/P< 0.001) and Non-Viral CLD (ρ= 0.359/P= 0.047), but not in CHB (treated with antivirals). PIVKA-II correlated with tumour size independently of CLD-etiology (P< 0.001) and AFP in CHB patients only (P= 0.007).

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic performance of AFP and PIVKA-II is significantly influenced by the etiology and activity of CLD; their combination provides a better diagnostic accuracy.

Prognostic value of PIVKA-II in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving curative ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with curative ablation. However, the results remain controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the correlation between PIVKA-II expression and survival outcomes in these patients.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify the relevant articles investigating the prognostic value of PIVKA-II in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Combined hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall survival and recurrence-free survival were calculated as the analysis endpoints.

RESULTS

A total of 15 cohorts encompassing 5647 patients were included. The results indicated that elevated PIVKA-II was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (HR 1.59; 95% CI 1.40, 1.82; P < 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (HR 1.76; 95% CI 1.42, 2.17; P < 0.001). Similar results were observed in the subgroup analysis based on sample size, analytical method, treatment modality, and cut-off value.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that elevated PIVKA-II is a predictor of unfavorable overall survival and recurrence-free survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving curative ablation. More rigorous studies are warranted to confirm the clinical utility of PIVKA-II in determining hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis.

Poly-(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 Promotes Prothrombin Gene Transcription and Produces Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Although des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) is a well-known tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the mechanism of DCP production is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism how DCP is produced in HCC cells.

METHODS

Levels of mRNA and DCP were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay respectively. Secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) expression vectors including deletion mutants of the prothrombin gene promoter were constructed for reporter gene assay. The transcription factors bound to DNA fragments were analyzed by mass spectrometry. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed using a biotin end-labeled DNA.

RESULTS

The prothrombin mRNA levels in all 5 DCP producing cell lines were appreciably high. However, those in 2 DCP non-producing cell lines were below detectable levels. A SEAP vector with -2985 to +27 showed a very high transcription activity in DCP-producing Huh-1 cells. However, transcription abruptly decreased when the vector with -2955 to +27 was transfected, and then remained at the similar levels with larger deletion mutants, indicating the existence of a cis-element at -2985 to -2955 (31-bp). Mass spectrometry analysis identified the protein that bound to the 31-bp DNA as poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Knockdown of the PARP-1 gene by small interfering RNA in Huh-1 cells induced marked inhibition of prothrombin gene transcription. The EMSA clearly showed that PARP-1 specifically binds to the 31-bp DNA fragment in the prothrombin gene promoter.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that PARP-1 activates prothrombin gene transcription and that the excessive prothrombin gene transcription induces DCP production in DCP-producing HCC cells.

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin antagonizes the effects of Sorafenib on human hepatocellular carcinoma through activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways

Despite significant progress, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an incurable disease, and the overall efficacy of targeted therapy by Sorafenib remains moderate. We hypothesized that DCP (des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin), a prothrombin precursor produced in HCC, might be one of the reasons linked to the low efficacy of Sorafenib. We evaluated the efficacy of Sorafenib in HLE and SK-Hep cells, both of which are known DCP-negative HCC cell lines. In the absence of DCP, Sorafenib effectively inhibited the growth of HCC and induced cancer cell apoptosis. In the presence of DCP, HCC was resistant to Sorafenib-induced inhibition and apoptosis, as determined by in vitro assays and in mice xenografted with HLE cells. Molecular analysis of HLE xenografted-nude mice showed that DCP activates the transduction of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and Ras/PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascades. DCP might stimulate the formation of compensatory feedback loops in the intricately connected signaling pathways when kinases are targeted by Sorafenib. Our results indicate that DCP antagonizes the inhibitory effects of Sorafenib on HCC through activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and Ras/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Taken together, our findings define a DCP-mediated mechanism of inhibition of Sorafenib in HCC, which is critical for targeting therapy in advanced HCC.

Serum and tissue markers in hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma: clinical and prognostic implications

HCC represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Despite the high incidence, treatment options for advanced HCC remain limited and unsuccessful, resulting in a poor prognosis. Despite the major advances achieved in the diagnostic management of HCC, only one third of the newly diagnosed patients are presently eligible for curative treatments. Advances in technology and an increased understanding of HCC biology have led to the discovery of novel biomarkers. Improving our knowledge about serum and tissutal markers could ultimately lead to an early diagnosis and better and early treatment strategies for this deadly disease. Serum biomarkers are striking potential tools for surveillance and early diagnosis of HCC thanks to the non-invasive, objective, and reproducible assessments they potentially enable. To date, many biomarkers have been proposed in the diagnosis of HCC. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignancy, characterized by early lymph node involvement and distant metastasis, with 5-year survival rates of 5%-10%. The identification of new biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic or predictive value is especially important as resection (by surgery or combined with a liver transplant) has shown promising results and novel therapies are emerging. However, the relatively low incidence of CCA, high frequency of co-existing cholestasis or cholangitis (primary sclerosing cholangitis –PSC- above all), and difficulties with obtaining adequate samples, despite advances in sampling techniques and in endoscopic visualization of the bile ducts, have complicated the search for accurate biomarkers. In this review, we attempt to analyze the existing literature on this argument.

Diagnostic value of prothrombin induced by the absence of vitamin K or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) for early stage HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of prothrombin induced by the absence of vitamin K or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) for early stage hepatitis virus B (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Serums levels of PIVKA-II and a-Fetoprotein (AFP) was detected and compared in 113 patients with clinical confirmed Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0-A HBV-related HCC and 161 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Diagnostic efficiencies as well as cut-off values of PIVKA-II, AFP and combination of the two markers were calculated using receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

The mean level of PIVKA-II among HCC patients were 79.64 ± 149.88, significantly higher than control group (P < 0.001). ROC results showed that among those AFP-negative HCC patients, the area under ROC curve (AUROC) of PIVKA-II was 0.73 (95%CI 0.640-0.815, P < 0.001). Among HCC patients diagnosed with small HCC (tumor size ≤2 cm), the AUROC of PIVKA- II was 0.692 (95%CI 0.597-0.788, P < 0.001). To evaluate the diagnostic value of PIVKA-II in HCC patient, all CHB cases were pooled together as control for analysis. The AUROC of PIVKA-II was 0.756 (95%CI 0.698-0.814, P < 0.001), and the optimal cutoff value of PIVKA-II was 32.09 mAU/ml with sensitivity of 52.21% and specificity of 81.49%. When serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP were combined to obtain a new marker for HCC diagnosis, PIVKA-II + AFP further increased diagnostic efficiency, with AUROC of 0.868 (95%CI 0.822-0.913), higher than that of AFP (P < 0.01) or PIVKA-II (P < 0.001) alone. In addition, we found that HCC patients in poorly differentiated- undifferentiated group and in microvascular invasion group had higher levels of PIVKA-II. Multivariate analysis showed that high serum PIVKA-II level (OR = 1.003, 95%CI 1.001-1.007, P = 0.047) was an independent risk factor for microvascular invasion in HCC patients.

CONCLUSION

Serum PIVKA-II level is a potential marker for early diagnosis of HCC and microvascular invasion. The use of PIVKA-II may improve assessment of tumor prognosis and guide development of therapeutic strategy.

Clinical Impact of Vitamin K Dosing on Sorafenib Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Some researchers have suggested that vitamin K enhances the antitumor effect of sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the clinical impact of vitamin K dosing for sorafenib treatment. Methods: Twenty-nine out of 65 patients treated with sorafenib for HCC were simultaneously dosed with vitamin K. We retrospectively investigated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the vitamin K-dosed group and sorafenib alone group. We also examined the changes in serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels, which vitamin K is involved with. Results: The median PFS was prolonged in the sorafenib + vitamin K group compared with the sorafenib alone group (6.0 months and 2.0 months, respectively; P<0.001, hazard ratio〔HR〕: 0.25). The median OS was also significantly extended (12.5 months vs. 10.0 months; P=0.009, HR: 0.47). Despite suppressed tumor growth, serum DCP levels had increased in cases of disease-controlled patients in the sorafenib alone group 8 weeks after the beginning of treatment, (2.28±0.91 to 2.64±1.03, P= 0.048). In contrast, the serum DCP levels of the sorafenib + vitamin K group had declined both in patients with controlled disease and in patients with progressive disease (1.97±0.57 to 1.29±0.28, P=0.002 and 2.90±1.32 to 1.78±0.53, P=0.034, respectively). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical report showing enhanced antitumor action of sorafenib by vitamin K. Our clinical findings suggest that vitamin K may have the synergistic effect by suppressing production of DCP, a tumor growth and angiogenesis factor.

PIVKA-Ⅱ as a screening marker for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly prevalent in China. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world, and HBV infection is the most common predisposing factor for HCC. China has 53.3% of HCC cases worldwide and 80% of HCC cases are related to HBV-associated hepatitis. HCC grows silently with mild or no symptoms until advanced. Due to the absence of effective treatment for advanced stage hepatic cancer, screening for high-risk population for early detection is of particular importance. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used biomarker for HCC surveillance, but has a sensitivity of only 60%, and it is easy to be effected by other factors. Studies have suggested that the level of prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ) in serum (40 mAU/mL) could be used as a predictive biomarker of HCC. PIVKA-Ⅱ proved to be superior to AFP for early detection of HCC with regard to higher sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, PIVKA-Ⅱ can be used to discriminate between different histopathological grades of HCC. The combined detection of PIVKA-Ⅱ and AFP in HCC is important for early diagnosis, therapeutic efficiency and prognosis evaluation, especially in AFP-negative HCC.

Roles and Signaling Pathways of Des-γ-Carboxyprothrombin in the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP), an abnormal prothrombin produced in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), plays crucial roles in the progression of HCC. DCP binding to cellular mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is an initial event and consequently stimulates HCC through the increase of c-Met-Janus kinase 1- signal transducers and activators of transcription pathways. DCP stimulates HCC invasion through activation of matrix metalloproteinase via upregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. DCP stimulates HCC angiogenesis through activation of the DCP-kinase insert domain receptor-phospholipaseC-γ-MAPK pathway. Identification of these pathways is important for designing the therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Diagnostic Evaluation of Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin versus α-Fetoprotein for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma in China: A Large-Scale, Multicentre Study

An efficient serum marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently lacking and requires intensive exploration. We aimed to evaluate the performance of des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) for identifying hepatitis B virus-related HCC in a large, multicentre study in China. A total of 1034 subjects in three cohorts (A, B, and C) including HCC and various non-HCC controls were enrolled from 4 academic medical centers in China from January 2011 to February 2014. Blind parallel detections were conducted for DCP and AFP. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacies. In cohort A, which comprised 521 subjects, including patients with HCC, liver metastasis, liver cirrhosis (LC), and liver hemangiomas as well as healthy controls (HCs), the accuracy of DCP for distinguishing HCC from various controls was 6.2–9.7% higher than that of AFP. In cohort B, which comprised 447 subjects, including patients with HCC, LC, and chronic hepatitis B as well as HC, the accuracy of DCP was further elevated (12.3–20.67% higher than that of AFP). The superiority of DCP to AFP was more profound in the surveillance of early HCC [AUC 0.837 (95% CI: 0.771–0.903) vs. 0.650 (0.555–0.745)] and AFP-negative HCC [AUC: 0.856 (0.798–0.914)] and in discriminating HCC from LC (accuracy: 92.9% vs.64.71%). Higher DCP levels were associated with worse clinical behaviors and shorter disease-free survival. DCP not only is complementary to AFP in identifying AFP-negative HCC and in excluding AFP-positive non-HCC (liver cirrhosis), but also demonstrates improved performance in HCC surveillance, early diagnosis, treatment response and recurrence monitoring in the HBV-related population.

Combinations of biomarkers and Milan criteria for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation

Growing evidence suggests that pretransplant alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) predicts outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with liver transplantation. We aimed to determine whether pretransplant AFP, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L3), and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) predicted HCC recurrence after transplantation. A retrospective cohort study of 313 HCC patients undergoing transplantation between 2000 and 2008 was conducted, and 48 (15.3%) developed recurrence during a median follow-up of 90.8 months. The 127 patients with available serum drawn before transplantation were included; they included 86 without recurrence and 41 with recurrence. Serum was tested for AFP, AFP-L3%, and DCP in a blinded fashion with the μTASWako i30 immunoanalyzer. All biomarkers were significantly associated with HCC recurrence. The hazard ratios (HRs) were 3.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.9-6.7; P < 0.0001] for DCP ≥ 7.5 ng/mL and 2.8 (95% CI, 1.4-5.4; P = 0.002) for AFP ≥ 250 ng/mL. The HR increased to 5.2 (95% CI, 2.3-12.0; P < 0.0001) when AFP ≥ 250 ng/mL and DCP ≥7.5 ng/mL were considered together. When they were combined with the Milan criteria, the HR increased from 2.6 (95% CI, 1.4-4.7; P = 0.003) for outside the Milan criteria to 8.6 (95% CI, 3.0-24.6; P < 0.0001) for outside the Milan criteria and AFP ≥ 250 ng/mL and to 7.2 (95% CI, 2.8-18.1; P < 0.0001) for outside the Milan criteria and DCP ≥7.5 ng/mL. Our findings suggest that biomarkers are useful for predicting the risk of HCC recurrence after transplantation. Using both biomarkers and the Milan criteria may be better than using the Milan criteria alone in optimizing the decision of liver transplantation eligibility.

Performance of PIVKA-II for early hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and prediction of microvascular invasion

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) is a diagnostic and surveillance marker for HCC mainly used in Asia, and has also been shown to be a predictor of microvascular invasion (MVI), a major prognostic factor in HCC. However, experience with PIVKA-II in Europe remains limited.

METHODS

In a French cohort, we conducted a case-control study to compare the performances of α-fetoprotein (AFP) and PIVKA-II serum levels for diagnosis of early stage HCC, and we determined the value of PIVKA-II serum and tissue expression in pre-operative detection of MVI. 43 cirrhotic control patients and 85 HCC cases were included, of which 54 (63.5%) had early stage HCC (n=22 very early, n=32 early). PIVKA-II tissue expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in HCC surgical samples.

RESULTS

For the diagnosis of early HCC, PIVKA-II had a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 82% at a cut-off of 42 mAU/ml, vs. 61% and 50% for AFP at a cut-off of 5.5 ng/ml (AUC 0.81 vs. 0.58, respectively). A PIVKA-II level >90 mAU/ml was an independent predictor of MVI (HR 3.5; 95% CI 1.08-11.8; p=0.043). High PIVKA-II tissue expression was significantly associated with the presence of MVI (p=0.001). When combining PIVKA-II immunostaining with the PIVKA-II serum level, sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of MVI increased from 70% to 87% and 63% to 90%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PIVKA-II was more efficient than AFP for the diagnosis of early HCC, and could be used as a predictive biomarker of MVI.

Primary colon cancer with a high serum PIVKA-II level

•

Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) is a newly recognized tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

•

It is proposed that PIVKA-II may be useful primarily as a prognostic biomarker, predicting rapid tumor progression and poorer prognosis.

•

PIVKA-II-producing colon cancer is an extremely rare subtype of colon cancer.

Introduction

Protein induced by vitamin K absence/antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) is an abnormal protein, and several reports have demonstrated the efficacy of PIVKA-II in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report an extremely rare case of adenocarcinoma of the colon with a high serum PIVKA-II level.

Presentation of Case

A 95-year-old woman presented with right lower quadrant pain and appetite loss. An abdominal computed tomography scan and ultrasonography showed an ascending colon tumor and multiple metastatic tumors in the liver. The serum level of PIVKA-II was extremely high, 11,900 ng/mL. Colonoscopic examination revealed a tumor accompanied by an ulcer in the ascending colon, which was highly suspicious for malignancy. Multiple biopsies showed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the colon, which was evaluated as colon cancer, stage IV. PIVKA-II-productive colon cancer was confirmed. Chemotherapy with TS-1 was administered. The patient died 3 months after initial admission.

Discussion

The expression of PIVKA-II was detected in non-cancer areas, with non-specific expression observed in plasma cells in our case. There might be some possibility that hepatoid differentiation exists in other regions of the colon tumor or in the liver tumor, parenchymal cells or lung metastases, which were composed of PIVKA-II-positive and AFP-negative cells.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, high serum levels of PIVKA-II resulting from colon adenocarcinoma have not been reported previously. We report this rare case together with a review of the literature.

KNDC1 knockdown protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells from senescence

KNDC1 (kinase noncatalytic C-lobe domain containing 1), a brain-specific Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor, controls the negative regulation of neuronal dendrite growth. However, the effect of KNDC1 on cellular senescence remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the impact of KNDC1 knockdown on human endothelial cell senescence and the mechanisms underlying this effect. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in vitro were used as a model of biological aging. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining was used to detect cellular senescence and flow cytometry was employed to determine cell cycle progression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis were utilized to investigate mRNA transcription and protein expression. In the HUVECs, a senescence-like phenotypes developed with increasing passage number in vitro, which were associated with a progressive increase in the transcription and expression of KNDC1. KNDC1 knockdown promoted cell proliferation and partially reversed cellular senescence and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in aging HUVECs. Investigations into the mechanism underlying this effect demonstrated that KNDC1 knockdown promoted HUVEC proliferation via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway and delayed HUVEC senescence by inhibiting the p53-p21-p16 transduction cascade. In addition, the promotion of the capillary tube network formation and the increased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase revealed that the activity and function of endothelial cells were enhanced. In conclusion, KNDC1 knockdown delayed endothelial cell senescence and promoted HUVEC activity and function. These results demonstrated that KNDC1 may be a novel therapeutic target for the development of agents to extend human life.

Clinical usefulness of double biomarkers AFP and PIVKA-II for subdividing prognostic groups in locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

In this study, we investigated the clinical usefulness of AFP and PIVKA-II in subdividing prognostic groups in patients with locally advanced HCC treated locally.

METHODS

Patients who had undergone local treatment for locally advanced HCC between 2001 and 2006 were enrolled. Response to treatment was defined as a reduction in AFP or PIVKA-II by more than 50% from baseline levels at 1 month after the treatment completion. Patients were divided according to their AFP and PIVKA-II response: A↓P↓ [AFP response (+) and PIVKA-II response (+)]; A↓P↑ [AFP response (+) and PIVKA-II response (-)]; A↑P↓ [AFP response (-) and PIVKA-II response (+)]; A↑P↑ [AFP response (-) and PIVKA-II response (-)]. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Patients were subdivided into four groups by the change in the level of the biomarkers AFP and PIVKA-II, and the survival outcomes of each group were distinct. Among patients with an AFP response, further subdivision by PIVKA-II response revealed that those in the A↓P↓ group had a longer median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with those in the A↓P↑ group (PFS: 16.2 vs. 5.1 months, P = 0.009; OS: 26.3 vs. 7.3 months, P = 0.017). Combination of AFP and PIVKA-II response showed a predictive power for PFS and OS comparable to radiological criteria and better than AFP response alone.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with locally advanced HCC, the use of a combination of two biomarkers, AFP and PIVKA-II, appears useful in predicting treatment outcomes through the subdivision of prognostic groups.

Protein induced by vitamin K antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) is a reliable prognostic factor in small hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) <2 cm in diameter has a favorable prognosis. Therefore surgical resection of small HCC is associated with good outcomes. However, the predisposing factors of prognosis following resection of HCC remain ill-defined. The aims of the present study were to identify the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of patients with small HCC and analyze the predisposing factors for tumor recurrence after surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 180 patients with small HCC who underwent hepatectomy between 2006 and 2010. Independent predictors of tumor recurrence were identified with Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year disease-free survival rates and overall survival rates were 83.7, 68.0, 65.3, and 98.9, 96.5, 92.7 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis reported that protein induced by the vitamin K antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) ≥ 200 mAU/mL, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ≥ 80 IU/mL, and microvascular invasion were important predisposing factors for tumor recurrence. Elevated serum PIVKA-II level was associated with microvascular invasion in small HCC, which was a powerful predisposing factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Although small HCC is generally associated with a good prognosis, serum PIVKA-II level ≥ 200 mAU/mL, ALP ≥ 80 IU/L, and microvascular invasion were predisposing factors for tumor recurrence. These factors can be used to stratify patients with respect to recurrence after resection. Elevated PIVKA-II was closely associated with microvascular invasion in small HCC. These data emphasize the importance of PIVKA-II in small HCC.

Long-term outcomes and prognostic factors with reductive hepatectomy and sequential percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion for multiple bilobar hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Sorafenib is currently recommended as first-line therapy for patients with intermediate or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) per Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging. However, the median overall survival (OS) with sorafenib in these patients is 10.7 months with an overall response rate of 2 %. We retrospectively investigated the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors with reductive hepatectomy and sequential percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion (PIHP) for refractory intermediate or advanced HCC.

METHODS

A total of 68 patients who had intermediate or advanced stage HCC without extrahepatic metastases were scheduled for reductive hepatectomy plus PIHP. All patients underwent reductive hepatectomy and PIHP with mitomycin C 20-40 mg/m(2) and/or doxorubicin 60-120 mg/m(2) 1-3 months after surgery (mean, 1.51 times/patient).

RESULTS

The objective response rate of PIHP was 70.6 % (complete plus partial response). The median OS of all 68 patients was 25 months, and the 5-year OS rate was 27.6 %. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that tumor response to PIHP and normalization of serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin concentrations after PIHP were independent prognostic factors for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

The median OS of the study population treated by reductive hepatectomy and sequential PIHP was 25 months. This treatment strategy can offer a possible curative treatment to patients with refractory intermediate and advanced HCC.

Novel des-γ-carboxy prothrombin in serum for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels using a newly developed electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA, novel DCP [NX-DCP]) were measured, and the utility of NX-DCP and DCP/NX-DCP ratio for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated. Antigenic differences in DCP between HCC and non-HCC patients were elucidated.

METHODS

The subjects included 170 patients with HCC, 61 with benign liver disease, 12 with obstructive jaundice, and 10 warfarin users. NX-DCP was quantitated by sandwich ECLIA employing novel anti-DCP monoclonal antibodies, P11 and P16. Conventional DCP was quantitated by standard ECLIA. DCP extracted from serum by affinity-chromatography was analyzed by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Conventional serum DCP levels were high in patients with HCC and obstructive jaundice, and in warfarin users, consistent with previous reports. Serum NX-DCP levels were high only in warfarin users and obstructive jaundice patients (vitamin K-deficient patients) but not in HCC patients. The DCP/NX-DCP ratio was significantly higher in the HCC group than in the benign liver disease, obstructive jaundice, and warfarin groups (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed significant superiority of the DCP/NX-DCP ratio over conventional DCP as a marker for HCC diagnosis (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that P11 and P16 reacted strongly with DCP from a warfarin user and an obstructive jaundice patient but very faintly with DCP from an HCC patient. Immunohistochemistry on HCC samples and autopsied normal liver tissues from warfarin users showed similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

The DCP/NX-DCP ratio is very useful for diagnosing HCC. DCP in HCC patients is distinct from that in vitamin K-deficient patients.

An overview of biomarkers for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

CONTEXT

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common and deadly malignant neoplasms worldwide. The incidence and mortality rates for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are virtually identical, reflecting the poor overall survival of patients with this kind of tumor. Effective therapies mostly achieved if the HCC diagnosis is made at early stages of the tumor. Surveillance tests include serologic and radiologic examinations.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

In this review, an overview of biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC and future challenges in this popular field has been presented.

RESULTS

Serum tumor markers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gammacarboxy prothrombin (DCP) are commonly used for the surveillance, but their roles have been intensely debated despite the existence of sensitive radiologic tests. Most HCC-related cancer biomarkers are involved in chronic inflammation and cancer. These biomarkers, according to their biologic characteristics are primarily divided into three groups including onco-foetal protein, stress protein, and post-translational modification.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the limitations of traditional HCC biomarkers, exploration for novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC is an evolving process.

Des-γ-carboxyl prothrombin is associated with tumor angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a hypervascular tumor, and angiogenesis plays an important role in its development. Previously, we demonstrated that des-γ-carboxyl prothrombin (DCP) promotes both cell proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by inducing the autophosphorylation of kinase insert domain receptor (KDR). In the present study, DCP-associated tumor angiogenesis was assessed by comparing hypovascular and common hypervascular HCC.

METHODS

The solitary HCCs of 827 patients were classified into two groups according to the tumor density at the arterial phase of a dynamic computed tomography scan; the initial clinical data of patients with the hyper- and hypovascular types were compared. The HCC tissues from 95 tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for DCP and phosphorylated KDR, and intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) was analyzed to evaluate microvessel angiogenesis.

RESULTS

The serum DCP levels (320 ± 3532 mAU/mL) and tumor size (18.4 ± 9.0 mm) of patients with hypervascular HCC were significantly greater than those with hypovascular HCC (38.7 ± 80 mAU/mL and 14.6 ± 5.2 mm, P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expressions of DCP and phospho-KDR were significantly greater in hypervascular HCC (71.4% and 31.0%, respectively) than in hypovascular HCC (7.6% and 5.7%, respectively). Intratumoral MVD was significantly correlated with DCP (r = 0.48, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

des-γ-carboxyl prothrombin production is associated with tumor angiogenesis in HCC.

Combined measurement of preoperative α-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin predicts recurrence after curative resection in patients with hepatitis-B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) are widely used complementary tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated whether preoperative AFP and DCP levels predict recurrence after curative resection in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Records for 267 patients who were diagnosed with HBV-related HCC and who underwent curative resection for HCC were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two preoperative groups: pre-op I (AFP ≥ 20 ng/dL and DCP ≥ 40 mAU/mL) and pre-op II (AFP ≥ 20 ng/dL and DCP <40 mAU/mL; AFP <20 ng/dL and DCP ≥ 40 mAU/mL; or AFP <20 ng/dL and DCP <40 mAU/mL). Among 267 patients, 102 (38.2%) patients were classified as pre-op I, whereas the other 165 (61.8%) belonged to pre-op II. During the post-resection follow-up [69.0 (3.0-136.0) months] period, 154 (57.7%) patients developed recurrences [68 (66.7%) patients in pre-op I vs. 86 (52.1%) in pre-op II, p = 0.029]. A multivariate analysis revealed that multiple tumors [hazard ratio (HR), 2.210; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.185-4.121] and pre-op I (HR: 1.890; 95% CI; 1.080-3.289) were significant predictors for recurrence. Disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly shorter in pre-op I compared to that in pre-op II (20.0 vs. 46.8 months, p = 0.006). Elevated preoperative AFP and DCP levels were associated with a higher recurrence rate and shorter DFS in patients with HBV-related HCC after curative resection. The combined measurement of preoperative AFP and DCP may be a prognostic factor for future recurrence.

Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II production is a strong predictive marker for extrahepatic metastases in early hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective evaluation

Background

Clinicians often experience extrahepatic metastases associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even if no evidence of intrahepatic recurrence after treatment is observed. We investigated the pretreatment predictors of extrahepatic metastases in HCC patients.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HCC without evidence of extrahepatic metastases were prospectively enrolled. We evaluated the correlation between extrahepatic metastases and pretreatment clinical variables, including serum tumor markers.

Results

A total of 354 patients were included. Seventy-six patients (21%) had extrahepatic metastases during the observation period (median, 25.3 months; range, 0.6-51.3 months). Cox regression multivariate analysis showed that serum protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) production levels, the intrahepatic tumor stage, platelet count, and portal vein thrombosis were independent risk factors for extrahepatic metastases. Patients with a PIVKA-II production ≥ 300 mAU/mL had a 2.7-fold (95% confidence interval; 1.5-4.8; P < 0.001) and 3.7-fold (95% confidence interval; 2.0-6.6; P < 0.001) increased risk for extrahepatic metastases after adjustment for stage, platelet count, alpha-fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/mL, and portal vein thrombosis according to the AJCC and BCLC staging systems, respectively.

Conclusion

PIVKA-II production levels might be a good candidate predictive marker for extrahepatic HCC metastases, especially in patients with smaller and/or fewer tumors in the liver with in stages regardless of serum alpha-fetoprotein.

Contribution of biomarkers and imaging in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent malignant tumour of the liver. HCC prognosis is dependent on the determination of the tumour stage by conventional imaging and early screening. However, patient survival can vary with the same tumour stage. Biomarkers thus have a role in providing an earlier diagnosis, better prognosis classification before treatment and classification prognosis during treatment. In this review article, we will provide a successive, detailed description of the serum, pathological, molecular and imaging markers of HCC.

Cancer biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinomas: from traditional markers to recent topics

Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) are the fifth most common tumor type and the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Some tumor markers for HCC, such as α-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin, are used clinically. Recent advances in proteomics and glyco-proteomics might provide various types of novel tumor markers for HCC. While the clinical availability of these tumor markers is important, the molecular mechanisms underlying the production of tumor markers requires further clarification. Our group has investigated the glycobiology of tumor markers. In this review, we describe the impact of novel HCC markers and their possible implications for clinical use.

Des-γ-carboxyl prothrombin induces matrix metalloproteinase activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by involving the ERK1/2 MAPK signalling pathway

Des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), an aberrant prothrombin produced by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, has been shown to be associated with the biological malignant potential of HCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DCP on HCC cell growth and metastasis, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. DCP significantly stimulated HCC cell growth, as measured by cell counting kit-8 assay. Transwell chamber assay showed that DCP increased HCC cell migration through reconstituted extracellular matrix (Matrigel). Gelatin zymography assay and Western blot analysis demonstrated that DCP increased the secretion and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the supernatant of cultured HCC cells and on tumour cell membranes. DCP was found to bind to the cell surface receptor Met, resulting in Met phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Western blot analysis demonstrated that DCP stimulated a sequential kinase phosphorylation cascade including ERK1/2, MEK1/2 and c-Raf, indicating activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen activated protein kinase (ERK1/2 MAPK) signalling pathway. Furthermore, blocking ERK1/2 MAPK activation with ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 essentially abolished the DCP-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, confirming the signalling pathway of DCP stimulation. Taken together, these results suggested that DCP stimulates HCC growth and promotes HCC metastasis by increasing the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 through activation of the ERK1/2 MAPK signalling pathway.

Clinical and molecular insights into the hepatocellular carcinoma tumour marker des-γ-carboxyprothrombin

Des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) is known as a tumour marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Various tumour markers have been developed for serological diagnosis of cancers, including HCC, in order to increase the survival rate of cancer patients. The currently recommended combined testing of DCP and α-fetoprotein (AFP) or Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of α-fetoprotein has been established to diagnose HCC. This combined testing using several tumour markers helps to increase the sensitivity of diagnosis of HCC, thus significantly increasing the clinical usefulness of DCP. The excessive production of DCP may be related to worse tumour behaviour, such as the presence of vascular invasion and intrahepatic metastasis of HCC cells. A high level of DCP was suggested to be useful as one of the factors in new recipient selection criteria of liver transplantation. The clinical use of DCP, therefore, might play a vital role in predicting tumour behaviour in patients with HCC. That said, the basic mechanism of DCP production has not been fully clarified. Various factors such as vitamin K(2) and γ-glutamyl carboxylase may contribute to the production of DCP and have a complex relationship. Moreover, recent studies have revealed that DCP functions as a growth factor and might play significant roles in cancer progression. Thus, DCP represents a potential target of drug discovery to establish new chemotherapeutic strategy for HCC. However, various issues have to be resolved to construct a novel therapy for HCC-targeting DCP. Innovation is required to make further progress in examining DCP.

Serum markers of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors and carries a poor survival rate. The management of patients at risk for developing HCC remains intricate.

METHODS

A literature search identified potential markers for hepatocellular carcinoma. These markers were analysed and justification was provided for these factors' inclusion to (or exclusion from) the markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A search of the literature was made using cancer literature and the PubMed database for the following keywords: "markers and HCC," "Lens culinaris agglutinin reactive AFP (AFP-L3) and HCC," "Des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) and HCC," "Glypican-3 and HCC," "Chromogranin A and HCC," "Transforming growth factor β1(TGF) and HCC," "α-l-fucosidase (AFU) and HCC," "Golgi protein-73 (GP73) and HCC," "Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and HCC," "Nervous growth factor (NGF) and HCC."

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the large number of studies devoted to the immunohistochemistry of HCC, at the present time, the absolute positive and negative markers for HCC are still lacking, and even those characterized by very high sensitivity and specificity do not have an universal diagnostic usefulness. Given the poor response to current therapies, a better understanding of the molecular pathways active in this disease could potentially provide new targets for therapy. However, AFP shows a low sensitivity, therefore other biomarkers have been developed to make an early diagnosis and improve patients' prognosis.

Impact of des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin and tumor size on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Because many patients who did not meet the Milan criteria have survived long after undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), extended criteria for recipient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are therefore considered to be necessary.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 90 consecutive adult LDLT recipients with HCC between 1996 and 2007 were reviewed. The recurrence-free survival rates of all 90 patients were 86.0%, 81.3%, and 81.3% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Fourteen of 90 patients developed a recurrence of tumor after the LDLT. The tumor recurrences were diagnosed within 1 year after the LDLT in 11 (78.6%) patients. In a multivariate analysis, both the tumor size of less than 5 cm (P=0.0202) and the des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) level of less than 300 mAU/mL (P=0.0001) were found to be favorable independent factors for the recurrence of HCC after LDLT. Therefore, the authors devised new selection criteria for HCC patients (a tumor size of <5 cm or a DCP of <300 mAU/mL). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall or recurrence-free survival rates of the 85 patients who met the new criteria were 92.3%, 85.9%, and 82.7%, or 90.5%, 87.0%, and 87.0%, respectively, which were significantly different from those of the five patients who did not meet the new criteria (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of two factors, namely the tumor size and the DCP level, was found to be useful for expanding the selection of LDLT candidates for HCC.

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin stimulates human vascular endothelial cell growth and migration

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) is an aberrant prothrombin produced by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Serum and tissue DCP expressions are thought to reflect the biological malignant potential of HCC. However, the role of DCP in the development of angiogenesis is not well understood. Herein, we report the effects of DCP on growth and migration of human vascular endothelial cells. DCP significantly stimulated the proliferation of HUVEC (ECV304) cells in a dose and time dependent manner, as measured by the MTT assay. A continuous rapid migration of ECV304 cells was observed in the presence of DCP measured by the scratch wound assay. The continuous rapid invasive activity, measured by transwell chamber assay also showed that DCP increased endothelial cells migration through the reconstituted extracellular matrix (Matrigel). Further, the tube formation of vascular endothelial cells on 3-D Matrigel showed an increased number of branch points of ECV304 cells induced by DCP in a dose dependent manner. The levels of vascular endothelial cell growth-related angiogenic factors and matrix metalloproteinase were also examined. DCP significantly stimulated the expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 (latent and active). Together, these data suggest that DCP is a novel type of vascular endothelial growth factor that possesses potent mitogenic and migrative activities in angiogenesis of HCC.

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin increases the expression of angiogenic factors in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIMS

Des-gamma-carboxyl prothrombin (DCP) is a serum protein produced by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the angiogenic activity of DCP in HCC cells.

MAIN METHODS

The proliferation of HCC cells was measured by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The growth of HCC cells was also evaluated in vivo by using the xenografts in nude mice. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of angiogenic factors in supernatant of cell culture. The expression of angiogenic factors was examined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining.

KEY FINDINGS

DCP displayed the stimulation of HCC cell growth in a dose (5-80 ng/ml) and time (24-96 h) dependent manner. The increase of cell growth was also observed in nude mice bearing well-established, palpable HepG2 and SMMC-7721 xenografts after 2 weeks administration of DCP. HCC cell growth was accompanied by the elevated levels of angiogenic factors. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in supernatant of SMMC-7721 cells were increased from 47, 126, and 60 pg/10(6) cells/24 h to 400, 208, and 298 pg/10(6) cells/24 h, respectively, after 72 h incubation with 80 ng/ml of DCP. The results of Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining of HCC xenografts also showed the significant increase of VEGF, TGF-alpha, and bFGF in HCC cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results provide the information that DCP is a type of growth factor in progression of HCC.