[Expression and significance of Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 in human primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC)]

135 specimens of primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded and stained for Pre-S1, Pre-S2 and HBxAg by ABC method, for HBsAg and HBcAg by PAP method. The detection rates of Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 positive cases in cancerous tissues were 22.2% and 20.0%. The detection rates of Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 in non-cancerous liver tissues were 60.0% and 59.6%. The positive ratio of Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 in the same hepatoma was 16.3% and that in the same non-cancerous liver tissue was 55.6%. Among 135 cases of PHC, HBsAg, HBxAg and HBcAg positives in tumor tissues were 16.3%, 55.6% and 8.9%, respectively. Those in non-cancerous tissues were 59.6%, 78.8% and 24.2%. This study suggested that the detection rates of Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 positivity in hepatoma tissues were higher than those of HBsAg and HBcAg but lower than that of HBxAg. The frequency of positive Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 in non-cancerous liver tissues was similar to HBsAg, and slightly lower than that of HBxAg. S1 and S2 are considered new markers for HBV infection. Their antigens could play an important role in the pathogenesis of PHC.