BPTF Associated with EMT Indicates Negative Prognosis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background/Aims Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) dissemination. Bromodomain PHD-finger transcription factor (BPTF) could regulate embrogenesis and stem cell differentiation, and it may be involved in tumor progression and EMT. In this study, we aimed to determine BPTF, E-cadherin and vimentin expression in tumor tissues and the clinical significance in relation to HCC. Methods The BPTF, vimentin and E-cadherin expression of 106 HCC tissue samples was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Results BPTF and vimentin showed high expression and E-cadherin showed low expression in HCC. BPTF is associated with the tumor number, vascular invasion, Edmondson-Steiner grade, TNM stage and recurrence ( P