Nodules of less-differentiated tumor within or adjacent to hepatocellular carcinoma: Relative expression of transforming growth factor-α and its receptor in the different areas of tumor

• Published in: Human pathology 1995-10, Vol.26 (10), p.1126-1132
• Main Authors: Morimitsu, Yosuke, Hsia, Chu Chieh, Kojiro, Masamichi, Tabor, Edward
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; carcinogenesis; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - chemistry; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - pathology; epidermal growth factor receptor; ErbB Receptors - analysis; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; hepatitis B surface antigen; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - analysis; hepatitis B virus; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - chemistry; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Transforming Growth Factor alpha - analysis; transforming growth factor α; Tumors
• ISSN: 0046-8177; 1532-8392
• DOI: 10.1016/0046-8177(95)90275-9

Expression of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and its receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and adjacent nontumorous livers from 25 Japanese patients were examined using immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin-embedded sections. TGF-α was detected in 24 of 25 (96%) HCCs and 23 of 24 (96%) available adjacent nontumorous livers. EGFR was detected in 16 of 25 (64%) HCCs and 17 of 24 (71%) adjacent nontumorous livers. TGF-α and EGFR were not detected by inununohistochemical staining in normal livers. Fifteen of 25 HCCs contained an apparent area of a second tumor (two of the 15 also contained a third tumor) that had a less-differentiated histological grade developing within or adjacent to the first tumor. In those cases, staining in the less-differentiated area of tumor was usually less intense than in the more highly differentiated area (80% of cases for TGF-α; 91% for EGFR). These data confirm that increased expression of TGF-α and EGFR occur frequently in human HCC. Furthermore, the detection of greater staining in more highly differentiated portions of the tumors suggests that increased expression of TGF-α and EGFR may be events of the early stages of human hepatocarcinogenesis.