Down-regulation of the tumour suppressor κ-opioid receptor predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opioid receptors have become increasingly implicated in cancer progression and long-term patient outcomes. However, the expression and significance of the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, KOR mRNA expression was analysed by real-time quantitative PCR in 64 pairs of HCC tumour tissues and adjacent non-tumour tissues, and KOR protein expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry in 174 HCC patients. We investigated the correlation between KOR expression and clinicopathological parameters to illustrate the potential prognostic significance of KOR expression in HCC.

Results

KOR mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated in 79.69% (51 of 64) of the HCC tumour samples, and KOR expression in t

SUBMITTER: Chen D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5562986 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature