DEP Domain Containing 1 is a Novel Diagnostic Marker and Prognostic Predictor for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: This study was conducted to determine DEPDC1 expression in hepatocelluar carcinomas (HCCs)and to reveal its potential role in diagnosis and prognosis of affected patients. Materials and
Methods: DEPDC1expression at the mRNA level was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in 205 cases of HCC andpaired adjacent normal liver tissues, and by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in 20 cases. Survival curves were obtainedby using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Independent predictors associated with regard to diseasefree survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were identified using the Cox proportional hazard model.
Results:High DEPDC1 mRNA levels were detected in 144 out of 205 cases (70.24%) of HCC, significantly associatedwith clinicopathological parameters, including tumor size (≥4cm), alpha-fetoprotein (≥100ng/ml), B-C of BCLCstage and recurrence. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that HCC patients with high DEPDC1 expressionhad poor OS and DFS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high DEPDC1 expression was an independentpredictor for OS (HR=1.651; 95% 95%CI, 1.041- 2.617; p=0.033) and DFS (HR=1.583; 95%CI, 1.01- 2.483;p=0.045).
Conclusions: Our results indicate DEPDC1 might be a novel diagnostic marker and an independentprognostic predictor for HCC patients.