ZD performed the statistical analysis. QS and NC participated in the study design and coordination. LY carried out the data collection. SB carried out the design of the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”
“Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the most common form of liver cancer, being responsible for 80% of primary malignant tumors in adults. HCC causes more than 600,000 deaths annually worldwide [1] and its endemic prevalence

in Asia, including South Korea, makes HCC one of Ku-0059436 ic50 the top causes of death in this region. HCC is a type of tumor that is highly resistant to available chemotherapeutic agents, administered either alone or in combination [2]. Thus, in many cases, no effective therapy can be offered to patients with HCC. Therefore, it is of vital importance to identify important prognostic factors and novel molecular targets of HCC to develop targeted therapies, ultimately advancing therapeutic strategies of HCC in general. Current evidence indicates that the precancerous liver and the early stages in HCC development are characterized PD0332991 cell line by certain common traits governed by both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms [3, 4]. These include the alteration of numerous signaling pathways leading to autonomous and deregulated cell proliferation and resistance to cell death [4–7].

Therefore, it is important to better understand the roles of deregulated genes in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Derangements in various methylation processes in liver diseases have been identified [8, 9], including increased nicotinamide methylation in cirrhotic patients [10]. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) catalyzes the N-methylation of nicotinamide, pyridines, and other structural analogues [11]. It is involved in the biotransformation of many drugs OSBPL9 and xenobiotic compounds. Although several studies indicated differential expression of NNMT in HCC specimens [12–15], the clincopathologic relevance of NNMT expression has not been fully investigated.

The aim of the present investigation was to examine whether NNMT expression could be used to predict the clinical course of HCC. Using a real-time RT-PCR analysis of NNMT gene expression, we found significant correlation between NNMT mRNA levels and poor prognosis of HCC. Thus, potential biological changes related to NNMT gene expression require further study, as they may have implications in predicting clinical outcome and choosing treatment modalities, due to the central role of NNMT in biotransformation and detoxification. Methods Patients and tissue samples HCC (T) and corresponding non-cancerous hepatic tissues (NT) were obtained with informed consent from 120 patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for primary HCC between 2001 and 2006 in the Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Korea. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Samsung Medical Center.