Korean J Pathol.  2009 Oct;43(5):393-399. 10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2009.43.5.393.

Enhanced Protein Expression of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 and Protein Kinase Substrate p36 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Han H
• Jang SH
• Park CK

• KMID: 1472616
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2009.43.5.393

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and protein kinase substrate p36 may be involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and growth.
METHODS
Immunohistochemistry for STAT3 and p36 was performed in 46 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
RESULTS
STAT3 staining was present in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus, while p36 staining was present in the nucleus. STAT3 and p36 expression occurred in 78.3% (36/46) and 47.8% (22/46) of HCC patients, respectively. However, no correlation was found between STAT3 and p36 protein expression (p>0.05). Enhanced expression of STAT3 was negatively correlated with portal vein invasion (p=0.033). Expression of STAT3 in the nucleus was correlated with tumor grade (p=0.004). Enhanced expression of p36 was correlated with tumor grade (p=0.031). HCC was correlated with HBV infection (p=0.032). The patients'5-year survival was related to expression of p36 (p=0.044), but not to total STAT3 or nuclear STAT3 (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The enhanced expression of STAT3 in the nucleus and the enhanced expression of p36 are associated with the aggressive phenotype of HCC. Enhanced p36 expression may contribute to poor survival of patients with HCC.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; STAT3 transcription factor; p36

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Cell Proliferation
Cytoplasm
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Phenotype
Portal Vein
Protein Kinases
STAT3 Transcription Factor
Transducers
Protein Kinases
STAT3 Transcription Factor