Objective: To evaluate the relevance of the expression of tumor metastasis gene metastasis-associated 1 (MTA 1) to HCC metastasis.
Methods: A fragment of MTA 1 cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. A DIG-labeled method of in situ hybridisation (ISH) was used to measure semiquantitatively MTA 1 mRNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections.
Results: Most of MTA 1 mRNA positive cells were located on the border of the tumor in some invasive HCC. High MTA 1 expression was found to correlate significantly with portal venous invasion, intrahepatic metastasis, tumor size or distant metastasis (P < 0.05), but not with gender, cirrhosis or AFP level. It also significantly predicted a shorter survival (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The overexpression of MTA 1 correlates closely with the invasion process of HCC.