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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma patients increases the risk of bone metastases and poor survival

Authors: Zuo-lin Xiang, Zhao-chong Zeng, Zhao-you Tang, Jia Fan, Peng-yuan Zhuang, Ying Liang, Yun-shan Tan, Jian He

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

The chemokine and bone marrow-homing receptor CXCR4 is implicated in metastases of various cancers. This study was conducted to analyze the association of CXCR4 expression with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) bone metastasis and patient survival.

Methods

Tumor tissue from HCC patients with (n = 43) and without (n = 138) bone metastasis was subjected to immunohistochemical staining for CXCR4 using tissue microarrays. Immunoreactivity was evaluated semi-quantitatively. A receiver-operating characteristic-based approach and logistical regression analysis were used to determine the predictive value of clinicopathologic factors, including CXCR4 expression, in bone metastasis. Patient survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests.

Results

CXCR4 overexpression was detected in 34 of 43 (79.1%) patients with bone metastases and in 57 of 138 (41.3%) without bone metastases. CXCR4 expression correlated with (correlation coefficient: 0.551, P < 0.001) and was predictive of HCC bone metastases (AUC: 0.689; 95%CI: 0.601 – 0.776; P < 0.001). CXCR4 staining intensity correlated with the bone metastasis-free survival (correlation coefficient: -0.359; P = 0.018). CXCR4 overexpression in primary tumors (n = 91) decreased overall median survival (18.0 months vs. 36.0 months, P <0.001). Multivariable analysis identified CXCR4 as a strong, independent risk factor for reduced disease-free survival (relative risk [RR]: 5.440; P = 0.023) and overall survival (RR: 7.082; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

CXCR4 expression in primary HCCs may be an independent risk factor for bone metastasis and may be associated with poor clinical outcome.
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Metadata
Title
Chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma patients increases the risk of bone metastases and poor survival
Authors
Zuo-lin Xiang
Zhao-chong Zeng
Zhao-you Tang
Jia Fan
Peng-yuan Zhuang
Ying Liang
Yun-shan Tan
Jian He
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-9-176

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