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Expression of osteopontin in hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with p53 expression and prognostic clinicopathological parameters

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex disease entity with multiple steps and associated with many risk factors and cofactors. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycosylated phosphoprotein encoded by the secreted phosphoprotein 1 gene. OPN has been implicated as an essential mediator and potential therapeutic target of cancer metastasis. Objectives This study aimed to determine the expression of OPN in HCC and to correlate the findings with different clinicopathological characteristics as well as p53 expression. Materials and methods HCC specimens (n=84) were immunostained using antibodies against OPN and p53. The association between OPN and clinicopathological parameters including grade, number of tumors, tumor size, and vascular invasion as well as p53 expression were evaluated. Results OPN showed positivity (+1 and +2) in 53 (63.1%) cases. OPN expression was directly proportional with tumor size, tumor grade, and vascular invasion, as high OPN expression showed a highly significant association with large-sized tumors (>5 cm in diameter), high-grade HCC, and vascular invasion. No significant association was detected between OPN expression and age (P=0.738), sex (P=0.835), and number of tumors (P=0.358). OPN expression was directly proportional to p53 expression, as p53 positivity was observed in high-grade tumors with vascular invasion (P<0.001). Conclusion OPN expression may have prognostic significance in HCC, as overexpression of OPN is associated with high-grade, large-size tumors and vascular invasion as well as high p53 expression.