376 PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF SERUM PIVKA-II IN HBV-ASSOCIATED HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: COMPARISON WITH SERUM ALPHA-FETO PROTEIN

POSTERSavailable were evaluated for expression of p50/p65 proteins by immunohistochemical staining.Results: One hundred fifty six patients were evaluable for response.Two complete and 8 partial responses were documented (response rate 6.4%, 95% C.I. 2.5% to 10.3%).Another 26 patients had stable disease for more than 4 months (CBR rate 23.1%, 95% C.I. 16.4% to 29.8%).Forty-seven patients had available tumor specimen.Cytoplasmic over-expression of p50 and p65, which was found in 59.6% and 51.1% of patients, respectively, was significantly correlated with each other and with advanced intrahepatic tumor extent (multi-nodular or infiltrative tumors).Nuclear overexpression of p50 and p65, which was found in 29.8% and 0% of patients, respectively, was not associated with their cytoplasmic expression status or with any clinical parameters.Patients with hepatitis C-related HCC or low tumor burden (<50% of liver parenchyma) were more likely to achieve CBR (38.3% and 31.9%,respectively).In multivariate analysis, staging (CLIP score) and types of viral infection were independent predictors for overall survival (p < 0.01).However, p50/p65 expression cannot predict response to thalidomide treatment or patient survival.Conclusion: Expression of p50/p65 proteins in HCC tumor tissue is associated with advanced intra-hepatic tumor extent but cannot predict outcome of thalidomide treatment.(Supported by grants 95R0066-BM01-02 from