Altered p-STAT3 (tyr705) expression is associated with histological grading and intratumour microvessel density in hepatocellular carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology 2007-06, Vol.60 (6), p.642-648
• Main Authors: Yang, Sheau-Fang, Wang, Shen-Nien, Wu, Chih-Fung, Yeh, Yao-Tsung, Chai, Chee-Yin, Chunag, Shih-Chang, Sheen, Maw-Chang, Lee, King-Teh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiogenesis; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - blood supply; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - pathology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; HBV; HCC; HCV; Hepatitis; hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C virus; hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Infections; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Ki-67 Antigen - metabolism; Liver cancer; Liver cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms - blood supply; Liver Neoplasms - metabolism; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Metastasis; microvessel density; Middle Aged; MVD; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; Neoplasm Staging; Neovascularization, Pathologic - metabolism; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Original; p-STAT3 (tyr705); Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 at tyrosine residue 705; Phosphorylation; Proteins; Rodents; Roles; STAT3 Transcription Factor - metabolism; Survival Analysis; Tumors; vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGF; Viral infections
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2006.036970

Background: Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 at tyrosine residue 705 (p-STAT3 (tyr705)) has been associated with many types of human cancers. However, its potential roles and biological effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not well established. Aim: To explore whether an altered p-STAT3 (tyr705) expression is associated with angiogenesis or proliferation and thereby plays a part in HCC development. Methods: Paraffin-wax-embedded sections from 69 patients with HCC were collected in this study. Using a semiquantitative immunohistochemical staining method, the expression patterns of p-STAT3 (tyr705) in both HCC lesions and the adjacent non-tumorous liver parenchyma were analysed. The results obtained were further correlated with intratumour microvessel density (MVD), Ki-67 expression, clinicopathological parameters and overall survival. Results: A strong p-STAT3 (tyr705) nuclear staining was observed in 49.3% of HCC lesions, but was reported only in 5.8% of the adjacent non-tumorous liver parenchyma (p