Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 expression affects clinicopathological features and prognosis of aflatoxin B1-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Qiu-Ju Liang ^1,2, Qin-Qin Long ¹, Feng-Qin Tian ¹

⁰Clinicopathological Diagnosis and Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

World Journal of Hepatology +

|

September 2, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Low tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) expression in aflatoxin B1-related hepatocellular carcinoma (AHCC) correlates with poorer prognosis and increased risk of death and recurrence. TIMP3 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for AHCC.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Molecular Biology
Biomarker Discovery

Background

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) dysregulation is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.
The specific role of TIMP3 in aflatoxin B1-related HCC (AHCC) clinicopathological features and prognosis remains unclear.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the association between TIMP3 expression and clinicopathological features in AHCC.
To evaluate the prognostic value of TIMP3 expression for AHCC patient outcomes.

Main Methods

Retrospective analysis of 182 AHCC patients.
Immunohistochemistry to assess TIMP3 expression in tumor tissues.
Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses to evaluate survival and risk.

Main Results

Low TIMP3 expression was associated with significantly decreased median overall survival (18.00 vs. 36.00 months) and tumor recurrence-free survival (16 vs. 32 months).
Decreased TIMP3 expression increased the risk of death (HR=2.85) and tumor recurrence (HR=2.26).
Low TIMP3 correlated with adverse clinicopathological features including larger tumor size, higher grade/stage, increased microvessel density, and blood invasion, and was negatively associated with AFB1-DNA adducts.

Conclusions

TIMP3 dysregulation impacts AHCC biological behavior and patient outcomes.
TIMP3 shows potential as a prognostic biomarker for AHCC.

Keywords:

Aflatoxin B1 Clinicopathological feature Hepatocellular carcinoma Prognosis Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 expression