Objective To examine the status and clinical significance of anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK) gene alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients. Methods We detected ALK gene expression in HCC tissues using fluorescent in situ hybridization,and we assessed the correlation of ALK gene expression with clinicopathologic outcomes and prognosis in HCC. Results ALK gene translocation was not observed in any HCC cases in the present study. In contrast, gain in ALK gene copy number (ALK-CNG)was detected in 28 HCC patients, and this copy number gain did not positively correlate with age,sex,AJCC stage,recurrence or Child-Pugh classification(P>0.05). Copy number gain did positively correlate with poorer prognosis in HCC(P=0.048),especially among patients with stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ disease(P=0.007). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis suggested that ALK-CNG was an independent prognostic indicator for patients with HCC(P=0.046). Conclusion  ALK-CNG, but not translocation of ALK,is present in HCC and may predict unfavorable prognosis.

 

Liver neoplasms, Anaplastic lymphoma kinase, Fluorescent in situ hybridization, Clinical significance