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LGR5 Expression Is Associated With Prognosis in High-Grade Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Shinsuke Sugenoya1, Takeshi Uehara2, Mai Iwaya2
1Division of Gastroenterological, Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlates with aggressive tumor features. High LGR5 expression at the tumor center predicts shorter recurrence-free survival and larger tumor size in HCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary Medicine
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
- The role of leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), a cancer stem cell marker, in HCC pathogenesis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of LGR5 in primary HCC.
- To assess the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of LGR5 expression in HCC patients.
Main Methods:
- RNAscope in situ hybridization was used to evaluate LGR5 expression in tumor tissues from 50 HCC patients.
- Clinicopathological data and survival outcomes (overall survival and recurrence-free survival) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- LGR5 expression was observed in some normal hepatocytes and in 25 out of 50 HCC tumors.
- High LGR5 expression at the tumor center was associated with high-grade HCC and shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS).
- High LGR5 expression at the invasion front correlated with high-grade HCC and larger tumor size (>5 cm).
Conclusions:
- LGR5 expression in HCC is linked to aggressive tumor characteristics, including high grade and larger size.
- Tumor center LGR5 expression serves as a significant independent predictor of shorter RFS in HCC.
- LGR5 may represent a valuable prognostic biomarker for recurrence risk in high-grade HCC.
