Rsf-1/HBXAP Predicts Poor Prognosis in HBV Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients after Curative Resection

Abstract

AIM: To illustrate the prognostic significance of RSF1 (also known as Hepatitis B X antigen-associated protein (HBXAP)) and its mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: RSF1 expression was detected in tumor tissue microarrays of 254 HCC patients who underwent curative surgical resection during 2/2004 to 12/2005. Prognostic significance was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and log-rank tests. The effects of RSF1 on cell proliferation and migration were tested in RSF1 knockdown and inducible systems in HCC cells. RESULTS: RSF1 expression in HCC tissues was significantly related to tumor relapse in HCC patients after curative resection and was significantly related to HBV infection and MMP9 expression. Knockdown (or over expression) of RSF1 in HCC cells significantly inhibited (or enhanced) HCC proliferation and invasion in vitro. RSF1 could also be shown to control the expression of MMP9 in HCC cells. CONCLUSION: RSF1 over expression is associated with poor prognosis in HBV HCC patients after curative resection and appears to regulate MMP9 expression.