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Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Investigating Immune Cell Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment — Challenges and Innovations in Cancer Prognosis
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Author Spotlight: Investigating Immune Cell Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment — Challenges and Innovations in Cancer Prognosis

Published on: April 12, 2024

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Nuclear expression of phosphorylated TRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with

Jing Jin1, Hae Yoen Jung1, Yuli Wang2

  • 1Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea.

Pathology, Research and Practice
|August 28, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Nuclear p-TNIK expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) indicates a poor prognosis. This study identifies phosphorylated TNIK (p-TNIK) as a potential prognostic marker for HCC, aiding in patient outcome prediction.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • TRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) is a germinal center kinase family member and TCF4 interactor.
  • TNIK is recruited to Wnt target gene promoters via TCF/β-catenin complex phosphorylation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Evaluate TNIK, p-TNIK, and β-catenin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • Determine the prognostic significance of p-TNIK in HCC.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of 302 HCC tissue samples.
  • Evaluation of TNIK, p-TNIK, and β-catenin expression.
  • Correlation with clinicopathologic features and survival rates.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear p-TNIK expression observed in 7.9% of HCCs, correlated with nuclear β-catenin.
  • p-TNIK expression associated with higher tumor grade and advanced pathological M1 stage.
  • Nuclear p-TNIK expression independently predicted poor Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS).

Conclusions:

  • This study is the first to investigate nuclear p-TNIK expression in HCC.
  • Nuclear p-TNIK is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients.
  • p-TNIK is a potential prognostic marker for HCC.
Keywords:
HCCPrognosisp-TINK nuclear expression

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