β-Catenin Expression and Its Association with Prognostic Factors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Study on Alpha-fetoprotein, Histologic Grade, and Microvascular Invasion

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. In addition to its high incidence, the disease burden is high due to its poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Some of the currently known clinicopathologic prognostic factors include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, histologic grade, and microvascular invasion. At the molecular level, β-catenin is one of the most common driver mutations found in HCC. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates cellular processes related to initiation, growth, survival, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis. Although the underlying pathogenesis of hepatocarcinogenesis is known, clinical application warrants a greater understanding of the molecular characteristics and tumor phenotype, especially for determining the prognosis. AIM: This study aims to analyze the expression of β-catenin and its association with AFP, histologic grade, and microvascular invasion. METHODS: Thirty-five samples of surgically resected HCCs at Cipto Mangunkusumo National Referral Hospital were examined. Diagnoses were made based on histopathological and immunohistochemical findings followed by β-catenin staining. β-catenin expression was analyzed to determine difference between variables. RESULTS: Here, we show that β-catenin expression is significantly associated with low serum AFP and well to moderate differentiation implications. Strong nuclear β-catenin expression implies better prognosis in HCC. CONCLUSION: β-catenin expression is significantly associated with low serumAFP and well-to-moderate differentiation, but not with microvascular invasion. Strong nuclear β-catenin expression implies better prognosis in HCC.