Association between serum hepatocyte growth factor and survival in untreated hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common hepatic malignancy worldwide. Its nature of rapid growth results in a grave prognosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a mitogen for hepatocytes, responsible for their proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic roles of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of gastroenterology 2004-12, Vol.39 (12), p.1182-1188
Main Authors: Vejchapipat, Paisarn, Tangkijvanich, Pisit, Theamboonlers, Apiradee, Chongsrisawat, Voranush, Chittmittrapap, Soottiporn, Poovorawan, Yong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - blood
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - mortality
Female
Hepatocyte Growth Factor - blood
Humans
Liver Neoplasms - blood
Liver Neoplasms - mortality
Male
Middle Aged
Survival Rate
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Summary:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common hepatic malignancy worldwide. Its nature of rapid growth results in a grave prognosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a mitogen for hepatocytes, responsible for their proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic roles of serum HGF in untreated HCC patients. Fifty-five patients with inoperable HCC were studied. The diagnosis of HCC was based on either liver histopathology or imaging evidence of a liver mass, together with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein. Serum HGF levels of the patients, at the time of diagnosis, were compared to those of 28 healthy controls. All patients received only palliative treatments and were followed up until they died. Comparison of survival curves between patients with a serum HGF level of 1.0 ng/ml or more and those with lower serum HGF was performed, using the log-rank test. Data values are expressed as means and SD. Fifty-one men and four women with inoperable HCC were recruited. The mean age was 54.15+/-15.34 years. The serum HGF levels in the inoperable HCC patients were significantly higher than those in the controls (0.58+/-0.43 vs 0.14+/-0.04 ng/ml; P
ISSN:0944-1174
1435-5922
DOI:10.1007/s00535-004-1469-8