Expression of hepcidin and other iron-regulatory genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical implications

We aimed to assess expression of ten iron-regulatory genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its clinical implications. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure ten iron-regulatory genes' mRNA and Perls' stain to assess iron stores in 50 HCCs and adjacent nontumor specimens. We compared the differences of gene expression and iron stores between tumor and nontumor specimens, and analyzed the relationships of gene expression with hepatic iron stores, patients' hemoglobin levels and clinicopathologic parameters. Hepcidin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and transferrin receptor 2 were downregulated, while transferrin receptor 1 was upregulated in HCC. Hepcidin was markedly decreased in HCC but still correlated with hepatic iron stores. Iron-regulatory genes varied in their relationships of expression with clinicopathologic parameters. Altered expression of iron-regulatory genes in HCC may disturb patient's iron balance. Hepcidin may play a role in defending the body against HCC.