CIRCULATING INTERCELLULAR-ADHESION MOLECULE-1 IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA BEFORE AND AFTER HEPATIC RESECTION

Background/Aims: We recently demonstrated that an. activated inflammat ion in a non-tumorous portion was a significant risk factor for recurr ence in. patients with smalt hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to provide further proof for this mechanism by explainin g the relation ship between, the post-operative hepatitis state and in trahepatic recurrence. Patients and Methods: We used art enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect cICAM-1 in the serum of 18 patients wit h hepatocellular carcinoma before and after hepatic resection. Results : A complete surgical resection of the tumor masses did not result in. a significant reduction of cICAM-1 levels. The levels of aminotransfe rase after hepatic resection in patients with an increased level of cI CAM-1 in the post operative period (n=7) were much higher than in pati ents with a decreased level of cICAM-1 (n=11) (p<0.05). The 1-, 2- and 3- year disease free survival rates in the former group were 42.9%, 1 4.3% and 0%, respectively, and those in the later group were 72.7%, 54 .5% and 54.5%, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions: The enhancement of inflammation in the remnant liver tissue is related to intrahepatic re currence after hepatic resection through adhesion molecules, such as c ICAM-1.