Expression of Phosphorylated AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Predicts Response to Transarterial Chemoembolization in Postoperative Cases of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

摘要

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was commonly used for HCC patients postoperatively. However, the survival benefits of adjuvant TACE were controversial due to the extensive heterogeneity of HCC. Hence, there is a critical need to explore potential biomarkers that can predict the clinical response to TACE. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved heterotrimeric serine/threonine kinase that plays a central role in linking metabolism and cancer development. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the association of pAMPK alpha (Thr172) status with clinical outcomes in HCC patients treated with or without postoperative adjuvant TACE.