Different expression of apoptotic proteins between HBV-infected and non-HBV-infected hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), an endemic consequence of the hepatitis B virus infection, has been the leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of apoptotic proteins in the tissues of HCC, and analyze the relationship between the expression of apoptotic proteins and hepatitis B virus infection. Methodology: Twenty patients with HCC who underwent liver resection were enrolled in this study. Using Western blotting, we quantified the expression of PI-3K, Cdc-42, caspase 3, NF-κB, Bcl-2, Bad-p, Bax and Mcl-1 in tumor lesions and para-cancerous liver tissues. Results: The expression of PI-3K, Cdc-42, caspase 3, NF-κB, Bcl-2, Bad-p and Bax were higher in cancer tissues with HBV infection than para-cancerous liver tissues and cancer tissues without HBV infection. The expressions of PI-3K were significantly higher in cancer tissues with the HBV infection when compared to para-cancerous liver tissues. Furthermore, PI-3K concentrations were significantly higher in stages III and IV HCC than in stages I and II HCC (1.48±0.25 vs. 1.07±0.25, p<0.01). On the contrary, the expressions of Mcl-1 in cancer tissues were lower than para-cancerous liver tissue in both HCC with HBV infection and without HBV infection. Conclusions: Our data indicate that different expressions of PI-3K, Cdc-42, Bcl-2and Bad-p were noticed between HBV-infected and non-HBV infected HCC. Therefore, different transcriptional pathways may be involved in the developing of HCC between HBV-infected and non-HBV infected patients.