Clinicopathologic significance of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma with stem cell subtype components with reference to the expression of putative stem cell markers

Am J Clin Pathol. 2013 Sep;140(3):329-40. doi: 10.1309/AJCP66AVBANVNTQJ.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the clinicopathologic features of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HC-CC), which the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed classifying into 2 types, and the expression of delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1), as well as putative stem cell markers, such as NCAM/CD56 and CD133.

Methods: In this study we examined the expression of stem cell markers using immunohistochemistry.

Results: Thirty-six cases of combined HC-CC were subclassified into 24 cases, with more than 5% stem cell features (group B) and 12 cases with less than 5% stem cell areas (group A). The postoperative overall survival rate was worse for group B than for group A. DLK1 was frequently expressed in group B cases compared with group A, hepatocellular carcinoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cases.

Conclusions: The 2010 WHO classification seems important for elucidating the pathogenesis of stem cell-related liver cancers.

Keywords: Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma; DLK1; Hepatoblast; NCAM/CD56; Stem cells.

MeSH terms

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / mortality
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / metabolism
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / pathology*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / mortality
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / pathology
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • DLK1 protein, human
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • PROM1 protein, human
  • Peptides