Yu J, Wang Z, Zhang H, Wang Y, Li DQ. Survivin-positive circulating tumor cells as a marker for metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
World J Gastroenterol 2021;
27:7546-7562. [PMID:
34887648 PMCID:
PMC8613743 DOI:
10.3748/wjg.v27.i43.7546]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and survivin are indicators for tumor stage and metastasis, as well as epitheliomesenchymal transition, in various cancers, including hepatocellular cancer (HCC).
AIM
To explore the potential of survivin-positive CTCs, specifically, as a marker for tumor progression in HCC patients.
METHODS
We examined the survivin expression pattern in CTCs obtained from 179 HCC patients, and investigated the in vitro effects of survivin silencing and overexpression on the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. CTC count and survivin expression in patient samples were examined using RNA in situ hybridization.
RESULTS
All 179 patients were positive for CTC markers, and 94.41% of the CTCs were positive for survivin. The CTC and survivin-positive CTC counts were significantly higher in the HCC patients than in the normal controls, and were significantly associated with tumor stage and degree of differentiation. Further, survivin overexpression was found to induce HepG2 cell proliferation, reduce apoptosis, and improve invasive ability.
CONCLUSION
Survivin shows upregulated expression (indicative of anti-apoptotic effects) in HCC. Thus, survivin-positive CTCs are promising as a predictor of HCC prognosis and metastasis, and their accurate measurement may be useful for the management of this cancer.
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