c-Myc-mediated SNRPB upregulation functions as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Dysregulation of genes involved in alternative splicing contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis. SNRPB, a component of spliceosome, is implicated in human cancers, yet its clinical significance and biological function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Here, we show that SNRPB expression is increased in HCC tissues, compared with the nontumorous tissues, at both messenger RNA and protein levels in two independent cohorts. High expression of SNRPB is significantly associated with higher pathological grade, vascular invasion, serum alpha-fetoprotein level, tumor metastasis, and poor disease-free and overall survivals. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that SNRPB upregulation in HCC is mediated by c-Myc. Positive correlation is found between SNRPB and c-Myc expression in clinical samples. In vitro studies show that ectopic expression of SNRPB promotes HCC cell proliferation and migration, whereas knockdown of SNRPB results in the opposite phenotypes. Collectively, our data suggest SNRPB function as an oncogene and serve as a potential prognostic factor in HCC.

The correlations between hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus or extrahepatic metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and extrahepatic metastasis are associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on HCC patients with PVTT or extrahepatic metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 639 patients with HCC from our hospital were retrospectively analyzed to analyze the correlation between HBV and HCC with PVTT or extrahepatic metastasis. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), a detectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA load (>500 IU/ml), cirrhosis and ascites were associated with the presence of PVTT. Positive hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), cirrhosis and ascites were associated with the presence of extrahepatic metastasis. In a multivariate regression analysis carried out a detectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA load, cirrhosis and ascites were independent risk factors of PVTT. Ascites was an independent risk factor of extrahepatic metastasis. The patients in the PVTT of type III/IV group and the PVTT of type I/II group had a significantly higher rate of positive serum HBsAg, a detectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA load (>500 IU/ml) and HBsAg + HBeAb + HBcAb test positive compared with those in the PVTT-negative group. HBsAg + HBeAb + HBcAb test positive was significantly associated with the presence of extrahepatic metastasis (P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: HBV infection and replication status are associated with the formation of PVTT or extrahepatic metastasis in patients with HCC.

Preoperative aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet-ratio index as a predictor of posthepatectomy liver failure for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of preoperative aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet-ratio index (APRI) score to predict the risk of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver resection, and to compare the discriminatory performance of the APRI with the Child-Pugh score, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1,044 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent liver resection were enrolled and studied. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate risk factors associated with PHLF. Predictive discrimination of Child-Pugh, MELD, ALBI, and APRI scores for predicting PHLF were assessed according to area under the ROC curve. The cutoff value of the APRI score for predicting PHLF was determined by ROC analysis. APRI scores were stratified by dichotomy to analyze correlations with incidence and grade of PHLF. RESULTS: PHLF occurred in 213 (20.4%) patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that Child-Pugh, MELD, ALBI, and APRI scores were significantly associated with PHLF. Area under the ROC analysis revealed that the APRI score for predicting PHLF was significantly more accurate than Child-Pugh, MELD, or ALBI scores. With an optimal cutoff value of 0.55, the sensitivity and specificity of the APRI score for predicting PHLF were 72.2% and 68.0%, respectively, and the incidence and grade of PHLF in patients with high risk (APRI score >0.55) was significantly higher than in the low-risk cohort (APRI score <0.55). CONCLUSION: The APRI score predicted PHLF in patients with HCC undergoing liver resection more accurately than Child-Pugh, MELD, or ALBI scores.