Korean J Gastroenterol.  2000 Jul;36(1):72-80.

Difference in Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor-II in Tumorous and Nontumorous Tissues according to the Degree of Differentiation and Vascularization of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Woo GH
• Yoon JH
• Lee JS
• Kim TH
• Jung HC
• Jang JJ
• Lee HS
• Yoon YB
• Song IS
• Kim CY

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
The precise mechanisms of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) in hepatocarcinogenesis have not been clarified yet. Recently, it was suggested that IGF-II might be closely related to angiogenesis. This study was designed to verify mechanisms of IGF-II in hepatocarcinogenesis and its relation to angiogenesis. METHODS: For seventeen patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (< or =3 cm in diameter), tissues were obtained from both tumorous and nontumorous area. We analyzed the degree of histological differentiation by Edmonson and Steiner's criteria and vascularity shown on spiral computed tomography (CT). The level of IGF-II expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The histological differentiation of HCCs in the 17 patients were observed as follows : grade I in 3, grade II in 7, grade III in 7. Eleven patients showed hypervascular tumors on spiral CT. There was a significant correlation between the relative expression patterns of IGF-II and the degree of histological differentiation of HCCs. That is, in case of the more differentiated HCCs, IGF-II was more expressed in in tumorous tissues than in nontumorous tissues (r=0.609, p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IGF-II might play a role in an early stage of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; IGF-II; Hepatocarcinogenesis; Angiogenesis

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II
Tomography, Spiral Computed
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II