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ABCG2 Overexpression Confers Poor Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Elderly Patients
Yao-Li Chen1, Po-Ming Chen2, Ping-Yi Lin3
1School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C. Department of General Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Unlabelled:
Backgroung/Aim: Breast cancer resistance protein [BCRP/ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2)] is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family, used as a maker of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and thought to be responsible for drug resistance by pumping them out of cells. However, its precise role in various cancer types has been controversial, and the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of ABCG2 in hepacellular carcinoma (HCC) and relate the results to established prognostic factors.
Patients And Methods:
We conducted analysis of 181 HCC and paired-match adjacent normal liver tissue by immunohistochemistry from tissue array of slides.
Results:
The mean score for ABCG2 expression was higher in tumor than in adjacent normal liver tissue of HCC patients (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between ABCG2 expression and age, differentiation status and hepatitis B surface antigen (p=0.031, p=0.015 and p=0.033, respectively). Additionally, increased expression of ABCG2 in HCC and its statistically significant correlation with hepatitis B surface antigen was found in elderly (p=0.039), not in younger patients (p=0.518). Importantly, by using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis, overall survival in patients with high expression of ABCG2 was found reduced in elderly patients (p=0.029 and p=0.081, respectively).
Conclusion:
ABCG2 can be used as a target for the development of novel therapies in HCC.
Insights
High expression of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlates with poorer survival in elderly patients. This suggests BCRP/ABCG2 may be a therapeutic target for HCC, particularly in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2) is an ATP-binding cassette transporter implicated in cancer stem cell marker roles and multidrug resistance.
- Its specific function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains debated.
- This study investigates ABCG2 expression in HCC and its prognostic significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the expression levels of ABCG2 in HCC tissues compared to adjacent normal liver tissues.
- To correlate ABCG2 expression with established prognostic factors in HCC.
- To evaluate the impact of ABCG2 expression on patient survival, particularly in different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of ABCG2 expression in 181 HCC tissue samples and paired adjacent normal liver tissues.
- Statistical correlation analysis between ABCG2 expression and clinicopathological parameters (age, differentiation, HBsAg status).
- Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses to assess overall survival in relation to ABCG2 expression levels.
Main Results:
- ABCG2 expression was significantly higher in HCC tumors than in normal liver tissues (p<0.001).
- ABCG2 expression correlated significantly with patient age, tumor differentiation, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status.
- Increased ABCG2 expression, particularly in elderly patients, was associated with reduced overall survival (p=0.029).
Conclusions:
- ABCG2 is upregulated in HCC and serves as a potential prognostic marker.
- The findings highlight a significant correlation between high ABCG2 expression and decreased survival in elderly HCC patients.
- ABCG2 represents a potential therapeutic target for novel treatment strategies in HCC.
