High levels of EphA3 expression are associated with high invasive capacity and poor overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma

Lu,Cheng-Yi; Yang,Zhao-Xu; Zhou,Liang; Huang,Zhi-Zhong; Zhang,Hong‑Tao; Li,Jun; Tao,Kai-Shan; Xie,Bai-Zhi

doi:10.3892/or.2013.2679

High levels of EphA3 expression are associated with high invasive capacity and poor overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma

Authors:
- Cheng-Yi Lu
- Zhao-Xu Yang
- Liang Zhou
- Zhi-Zhong Huang
- Hong‑Tao Zhang
- Jun Li
- Kai-Shan Tao
- Bai-Zhi Xie
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Affiliations: Department of Information, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shannxi 710032, P.R. China, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shannxi 710032, P.R. China, Department of General Surgery, The 155 Central Hospital of PLA, Kaifeng, He'nan 471000, P.R. China, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shannxi 710032, P.R. China
Published online on: August 21, 2013 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2013.2679
Pages: 2179-2186

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Abstract

Although EphA3 expression has been associated with progression or prognosis in several types of tumors, the role of EphA3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study sought to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic relevance of EphA3 expression in HCC as well as the underlying mechanisms responsible. EphA3 protein was mainly localized within the cytoplasm and at the cell membrane. High EphA3 expression was correlated with tumor size, tumor grade, metastasis, venous invasion and AJCC TNM stage (P<0.05), and patients with high levels of EphA3 expression were at a significantly increased risk for shortened survival time (P<0.05). In vitro, the downregulation of EphA3 expression decreased the invasive capacity of HCC cells via the regulation of VEGF. EphA3 may represent a novel candidate marker for patient prognosis as well a molecular target for HCC therapy.

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