• LIVER CANCER • Expression of p27, cyclin E and cyclin A in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance

AIM: To investigate the expression of p27, cyclin E and cyclin A in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its potential clinical significance. METHODS: Expression of p27, cyclin E and cyclin A in 45 HCC specimens and 30 adjacent noncancerous lesions obtained from 45 patients during surgery was examined by immunohistochemical SABC assay. The diameter of tumor ranged from 1 cm to 19 cm (d 5 cm, 9 samples; 5 cm<d 10 cm, 19 samples; d>10 cm, 17 samples). The tumors were graded according to the criteria described by Edmondson-Steiner: well-differentiated HCC group (Grade I+II), 26 samples; poorly-differentiated HCC group (Grade III+IV), 19 samples. According to the clinical-pathologic features, 19 samples were poorly encapsulated, 15 samples had porta