Prognostic roles of pathology markers immunoexpression and clinical parameters in Hepatoblastoma

• Main Authors: Jia-Feng Wu, Hsiu-Hao Chang, Meng-Yao Lu, Shiann-Tarng Jou, Kai-Chi Chang, Yen-Hsuan Ni, Mei-Hwei Chang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2017-08-01
• Series: Journal of Biomedical Science
• Subjects: Hepatoblastoma; Liver stem cell; Epithelial cell adhesion molecule; β-catenin
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12929-017-0369-1

Abstract Background Hepatoblastoma, a leading primary hepatic malignant tumor in children, is originated from primitive hepatic stem cells. We aimed to elucidate the relationships between the histological distribution of β-catenin and hepatic stem cell markers with the clinical outcomes of hepatoblastoma. Methods Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect β-catenin and hepatic stem cell markers expression in 31 hepatoblastoma tumors. We analyzed the relationship between the stem cell markers and the clinical course of hepatoblastoma. Results Thirty-one hepatoblastoma patients were diagnosed at a mean age of 2.58 ± 3.78 years, and 7 (22.58%) died. A lack of anticipated decrease in alpha-fetal protein levels after neoadjuvant chemotherapy indicated a higher mortality rate. Nuclear β-catenin expression was significantly associated with membranous epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression in hepatoblastoma tumor specimens. The co-expression of nuclear β-catenin and membranous EpCAM together with an age at diagnosis ≤1.25 years were predictive of an alpha-fetoprotein level < 1200 ng/mL after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.05). An alpha-fetoprotein level < 1200 ng/mL after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and age at hepatoblastoma diagnosis ≤1.25 years are both predictors of better overall and native liver survival in hepatoblastoma patients. Conclusions Presence of membranous EpCAM with nuclear β-catenin and younger diagnostic age of hepatoblastoma are predictive of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels drop after chemotherapy. Younger diagnostic age and lower alpha-fetoprotein levels after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and are predictive of better overall and native liver survival in hepatoblastoma patients.