TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-ALPHA INDUCES PROLIFERATION AND EXPRESSION OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR IN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA CELLS

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and its epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been found related to the development of some kinds of malignant tumor. In this study, the correlation of TGF alpha and EGRF with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was analyzed. Two human hepatocellular carcinoma models in nude mice were used. The results demonstrated that the tumors which expressed stronger EGFR grew quicker than the tumors which showed faint EGFR expression. TGF alpha was used to stimulate HCC cells in vitro and vivo. The data verified that TGF alpha was able to induce the expression of EGFR in HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo and induce the mitosis of HCC cells in vitro. These results suggested that TGF alpha, is an impportant factor in the development of HCC and the sensitivity of HCC to TGF alpha that depend on the expression of EGFR is also important in the prognosis of HCC.