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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2007; 13(33): 4509-4513
Published online Sep 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i33.4509
Effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
En-Hua Xiao, Jing-Qing Li, Jie-Fu Huang
En-Hua Xiao, Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China
Jing-Qing Li, Jie-Fu Huang, Liver Cancer Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Council of Natural Sciences of China, No. 30070235, 30470508; and the Provincial Council of Natural Sciences of Hunan, No. 06JJ20081
Correspondence to: En-Hua Xiao, Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China. cjr.xiaoenhua@vip.163.com
Telephone: +86-731-5292116 Fax: +86-731-5533525
Received: March 28, 2007
Revised: April 23, 2007
Accepted: April 26, 2007
Published online: September 7, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

METHODS: A total of 136 patients with HCC underwent liver resection. Of 136 patients, 79 patients received 1 to 5 courses of TACE prior to liver resection (TACE group), who were further subdivided into four groups: Group A (n = 11) who received 1 to 4 courses of chemotherapy alone; Group B (n = 33) who received 1 to 5 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil; Group C (n = 23) who received 1 to 3 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil and gelatin sponge; and Group D (n = 12) who received 1 to 3 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil, ethanol and gelatin sponge. The other 57 patients only received liver resection (non-TACE group). The expressions of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein were detected in the liver cancer tissues by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS: The Ki-67 protein expression was significantly lower in Groups C and D as compared with non-TACE group (31.35% ± 10.85% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, 30.93% ± 18.10% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, respectively, P < 0.05). The PCNA protein expression was significantly lower in Groups C and D as compared with non-TACE group (49.61% ± 15.11% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, 41.16% ± 11.83% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, respectively, P < 0.05). The Ki-67 protein expression was significantly higher in Group A as compared with non-TACE group (55.44% ± 13.72% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, P < 0.05). The PCNA protein expression was significantly higher in Groups A and B as compared with non-TACE group (72.22% ± 8.71% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, 69.91% ± 13.38% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, respectively, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Preoperative multi-material TACE suppresses the proliferation of HCC cells, while a single material embolization and chemotherapy alone enhance the proliferation of HCC cells.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; Proliferating cell nuclear antigen; Ki-67