Role of Albumin in Growth Inhibition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Bagirsakci E., Sahin E., Atabey N., Erdal E., Guerra V., Carr B. I.

ONCOLOGY, vol.93, no.2, pp.136-142, 2017 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 93 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.1159/000471807
  • Journal Name: ONCOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.136-142
  • Keywords: Albumin, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Growth inhibition, Prognosis, GLASGOW PROGNOSTIC SCORE, SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE, ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN, PREDICTS SURVIVAL, CANCER, LIVER, DELIVERY, SURGERY, SERUM, INDEX
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: Levels of serum albumin have recently emerged, together with C-reactive protein, as an important prognostic indicator for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has recently been reported that larger HCCs are associated with lower albumin levels. However, the albumin-mediated growth decrease has yet to be determined. Methods: We examined a large HCC cohort and then by direct exposure of HCC cells in vitro, the relationship of albumin levels to HCC growth. Results: We found that patients with lower albumin levels had significantly larger maximum tumor diameters, more portal vein thrombosis, more tumor multifocality, higher a-fetoprotein levels, and a lower survival than patients with higher albumin levels. Direct addition of exogenous albumin at physiological concentrations resulted in decreased growth in several HCC cell lines in vitro. We found a decrease in MAP kinase levels and in levels of Cdk2 and Cdk4, cyclinE, as well as in a-fetoprotein. Conclusion: These results indicate that in addition to its role as a moni-tor of systemic inflammation, albumin may have a direct role in HCC growth inhibition, either through modulation of a-fetoprotein or through its actions on growth-controlling kinases. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel