Expression of Integrin-linked Kinase is not a Useful Prognostic Marker in Resected Hepatocellular Cancer

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and is known to be associated with a poor prognosis. Unfortunately there are no available reliable markers of prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether integrin-linked kinase (ILK) expression correlates with post-resection survival from HCC. Patients and Methods: A tissue microarray was constructed using HCC samples, and immunohistochemical analysis for ILK was then carried out and scored by three independent observers. Clinical chart review was performed to determine survival parameters. Results: Of the 52 cases of HCC, 22 cases were associated with hepatitis B (HBV), 18 with hepatitis C (HCV), 2 with HBV and HCV co-infection; 81% of all patients were male and 19% female. Western immunoblotting showed a highly significant correlation between levels of expression of ILK and ser473-PKB phosphorylation, both in control and tumor sections (Spearman rank correlation, r=0.8155, p=0.0004), however, there was no direct correlation between the levels of expression of ILK with patient survival (log-rank test, p=0.864). Conclusion: ILK expression does not appear to have a role in predicting outcome in patients with resected HCC.