EXPRESSION OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR MESSENGER-RNA, AND C-MET MESSENGER-RNA (HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR) IN HUMAN LIVER-TUMORS

We have quantified mRNA for the hepatocyte growth factor and its putat ive receptor the c-met proto-oncogene protein product, in a series of human primary and secondary liver tumours and adjacent non-neoplastic liver. In all hepatocellular cancers, hepatocyte growth factor 6 kb mR NA expression was less (mean 23.93%+/-6.33% S.E.M. n=7) in the tumours than in the adjacent normal liver. Both relative over- and under-expr ession of c-met transcripts were found in tumour tissue compared to no n-neoplastic liver. Thus hepatocellular cancer tissue does not over-ex press mRNA for hepatocyte growth factor, though this growth factor mig ht play a role in hyperproliferative states leading to liver cancer. ( C) Journal of Hepatology.