Objective: To study the relationship between FHIT and WWOX expression and clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Method: The expression of FHIT and WWOX were determined by immunohistochemistry in 142 patients with HCC.
Results: Absent or reduced FHIT and WWOX expression was observed in 68.3% and 77.5% of HCCs, respectively. The expression of FHIT was significantly correlated with that of WWOX (P < 0.01), and progressive loss of FHIT and WWOX expression were observed as tumor differentiation decreased and tumor grade increased (P < 0.05). Absent/reduced FHIT and WWOX expression was associated with tumor invasion and metastasis (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of FHIT and WWOX in HCC with recrudesce were lower than that in those without recrudesce (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Absent/reduced FHIT and WWOX expression is associated with poor prognosis.