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Expression of hepcidin and other iron-regulatory genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical implications

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Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to assess expression of ten iron-regulatory genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its clinical implications.

Methods

We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure ten iron-regulatory genes’ mRNA and Perls’ stain to assess iron stores in 50 HCCs and adjacent nontumor specimens. We compared the differences of gene expression and iron stores between tumor and nontumor specimens, and analyzed the relationships of gene expression with hepatic iron stores, patients’ hemoglobin levels and clinicopathologic parameters.

Results

Hepcidin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and transferrin receptor 2 were downregulated, while transferrin receptor 1 was upregulated in HCC. Hepcidin was markedly decreased in HCC but still correlated with hepatic iron stores. Iron-regulatory genes varied in their relationships of expression with clinicopathologic parameters.

Conclusions

Altered expression of iron-regulatory genes in HCC may disturb patient’s iron balance. Hepcidin may play a role in defending the body against HCC.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the National Science Council under the grant of NSC 94-2320-B-039-019 and NSC94-2320-B-039-020.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Hsi-Huang Tseng & Yaw-Huei Hwang

  2. Departments of Medical Research and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Jan-Gowth Chang

  3. Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan

    Kun-Tu Yeh

  4. Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan

    Yao-Li Chen

  5. Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100, Shi-chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Hsin-Su Yu

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  1. Hsi-Huang Tseng
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  2. Jan-Gowth Chang
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  3. Yaw-Huei Hwang
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  4. Kun-Tu Yeh
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  5. Yao-Li Chen
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Correspondence to Hsin-Su Yu.

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Tseng, HH., Chang, JG., Hwang, YH. et al. Expression of hepcidin and other iron-regulatory genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical implications. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 135, 1413–1420 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-009-0585-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-009-0585-5

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