Interpretation of Farnesoid X Receptor Immunohistochemical Expression in Discriminating Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Its Non-Neoplastic Mimics as an Adjunct to Glypican 3

Salama, Doaa E.A.; Shash, Lobna Sadek; Shakweer, Marwa Mosaad; Abdel-Maqsoud, Rania Rifat; Ahmed Abosaif, Amany Ibrahim; Elgohary, Shimaa Abdelraouf

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.9.3221

Interpretation of Farnesoid X Receptor Immunohistochemical Expression in Discriminating Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Its Non-Neoplastic Mimics as an Adjunct to Glypican 3

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

² Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Egypt.

³ Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.9.3221

Abstract

Aims: Differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-neoplastic lesions may be challenging. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) can help in the comparative morphologic evaluation of HCC and its mimics. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear metabolic receptor essential for bile salts homeostasis and other biological functions of liver cells. Preliminary studies have shown that FXR can be useful for diagnosing HCC. This study aimed to assess the role of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) combined with Glypican 3 (GPC3) in differentiation between HCC and non-neoplastic hepatic lesions. Material and methods: Immunohistochemistry of GPC3 and FXR was performed in 38 cases of primary hepatic lesions using an automated immunohistochemical stainer. The study included 17 primary HCC cases and 21 non-neoplastic hepatic lesions (5 cases were focal nodular hyperplasia, 7 were regenerative nodules and 9 were dysplastic nodules). Results: The percentage of positive GPC3 and low or negative FXR expression was significantly higher in HCC cases than non-neoplastic hepatic lesions (P value <0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of GPC3 in differentiating HCC from non-neoplastic hepatic lesions were 70.6% and 85.7%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of FXR were 58.8% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: The present work revealed that FXR could be combined with GPC3 in distinguishing between HCC and non-neoplastic hepatic lesions with improved specificity rather than using an individual marker.

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