Expression and hypomethylation of α-fetoprotein gene in unicentric and multicentric human hepatocellular carcinomas

摘要: The messenger RNA and DNA methylation of the α-fetoprotein gene were studied in 101 resected primary hepatocellular carcinomas, which 93 unicentric 8 multicentric. Fifty-five 5 cm or less diameter (small) 46 more than (large). In 48.5% cases, we detected frequently large (60.9%) small (38.2%; p < 0.00001) but not any nontumorous livers. was 83%, 70% 6.8% patients with serum levels 320 ng/ml more, 100 to 319 ng/ml, respectively. This finding suggests that expression carcinoma contributes elevation carcinoma. α-Fetoprotein appeared as a major band 2.4 kb, two minor species about 6.5 3.6 kb fetal liver. Hypomethylation 5′ end 78.3% carcinomas expressing infrequently (16.7%) no detectable (p 0.0003). hypomethylation at region is associated reexpression helped differentiate from multicentric identify other hidden α-fetoprotein-secreting carcinomas. occurred often younger 30 yr old (100% vs. 41.2%; 0.002), HBsAg-seropositive (53.2% 33.3%; 0.03) poorly differentiated (56% 23.1%; 0.003). Patients had worse 2-yr survival rate those neither nor (70.6% 94.7%; 0.02). We conclude possesses biological significance. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;17:35–41.)