Circulating levels of PD-L1 and Galectin-9 are associated with patient survival in surgically treated Hepatocellular Carcinoma independent of their intra-tumoral expression levels.

ABSTRACT: Tumor expression of immune co-inhibitory ligands, such as PD-L1 and Galectin-9, have potential prognostic value in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Circulating levels of these molecules, however, have hardly been studied. This study aims to assess the prognostic significance of circulating PD-L1 and circulating Galectin-9 in patients with resected HCC, and to compare their prognostic significance to the intra-tumoral expression of these same molecules. Archived tissues and stored peripheral blood samples from 81 patients who underwent HCC resection or liver transplantation, with curative intent, were used. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine intra-tumoral expression of PD-L1 and Galectin-9, while ELISA was used to quantify their respective circulating levels. High circulating PD

SUBMITTER: Sideras K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6650499 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature