Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of CD133 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in primary lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its prognostic value. Methods The expression of CD133 and VEGF in 190 patients with HCC were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The orrelationship of CD133 expression with the clinicopathologic parameters and features after operation was analyzed. Results The expression of CD133 and VEGF in cancer tissues was 22.1% (42/190) and 52.1% (99/190), respectively. There was significant correlationship between the expression of CD133 and HBV infection, tumor differentiation and microvessel invasion (P < 0.05). There was significant correlationship between the expression of CD133 and VEGF (P < 0.001). Prognostic analysis demonstrated that the disease-free survival of CD133 positive group was significantly lower than that of CD133 negative group (P = 0.036). Conclusions CD133 expression in HCC correlates significantly with VEGF expression, worse tumor differentiation and microvessel invasion. Patients with CD133 positive expression may suffer from shorter disease-free survival after operation. CD133 may influence the prognosis of HCC by regulating the expression of VEGF.
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