Expression of SET domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1 and its clinical prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: To detect the expression of histone methyltransferase SETDB1 in hepatocellular carcinoma, and to analyze the relationship between SETDB1 expression and tumor size, microvascular invasion, pTNM stage, gender, age, tumor number, tumor differentiation, and other clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of SETDB1 proteins in liver cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 100 cases. The qRT‐PCR method was used to detect the expression of SETDB1 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent tissues of 64 cases. RESULTS: The expression of SETDB1 protein and mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma was higher than that of adjacent normal liver tissue (p < 0.05). High protein expression of SETDB1 was associated with tumor size, MVI presence, and pTNM stage (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that the tumor size, tumor differentiation, MVI grade, and pTNM stage were correlated with DFS, while tumor size, MVI grade, pTNM stage, and SETDB1 protein expression were correlated with OS. Multivariate analysis showed that the combination of MVI grade and pTNM stage has statistical significance in predicting prognosis, while SETDB1 protein expression was not significant prognosis factor. CONCLUSIONS: SETDB1 has a certain role in HCC progression and may act as a prognostic predictor concerning the survival of HCC patients.