Expression of OATP1B3 determines uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA in HCC is determined by expression of OATP1B3 rather than by tumor differentiation or bile production.

Comparison between areas with Gd‐EOB‐DTPA uptake and without in hepatocellular carcinomas on Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced hepatobiliary‐phase MR imaging: Pathological correlation

“…Bile production is most typically observed in relatively well-differentiated HCCs as compared to poorly differentiated HCCs, especially in moderately differentiated HCCs as compared to well-differentiated HCCs and appear with a green color in resected specimens, so called green hepatoma (22). Our results show that although macroscopically, most non-hypointense areas of HCCs on gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase images may be associated with an area with a green color, no microscopic difference of bile production between non-hypointense and hypointense areas of an HCC was found, which is similar to a finding of a previous report (21). Our results also show the green color of an HCC in a resected specimen may not indicate bile production.…”

“…In another report with 83 HCCs, 2 well-differentiated HCCs, 5 moderately differentiated HCCs, and 1 poorly differentiated HCC exhibited iso-intensity or hyperintensity relative to the surrounding liver parenchyma (11). Recently, Narita et al (21) reported that hyperintense lesions were found in 6 of 22 HCCs, in which all cases were moderately differentiated. Our study showed no correlation between tumor differentiation of an HCC and the uptake of gadoxetic acid as previously reported (11,20,21).…”

“…Recently, Narita et al (21) reported that hyperintense lesions were found in 6 of 22 HCCs, in which all cases were moderately differentiated. Our study showed no correlation between tumor differentiation of an HCC and the uptake of gadoxetic acid as previously reported (11,20,21). Based on these results, we think that, in clinical practice, gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase images should not be used to predict the exact extent of tumor differentiation.…”

“…One report has suggested that the uptake of gadoxetic acid for an HCC was determined by overexpression of OATP1B3 in sinusoidal membranes in HCCs as seen on hepatobiliary-phase images, irrespective of the expression of cMOAT of the canalicular membrane of an HCC (21). Based on our results and a previous report (21), we speculate that the uptake of gadoxetic acid for an HCC as seen on hepatobiliary-phase images may be determined not only by morphological features such as tumor differentiation, bile production and extracellular fluid space but by the ability to uptake gadoxetic acid through OATP1 into hepatocytes.…”

Time to update radiological criteria for non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

“…These dual-action contrast agents permit evaluation of tumor vascularity in the early dynamic imaging-phase and tumor uptake of the contrast agent via sodium-independent organic anion transporters in the delayed hepatocyte-phase [12]. In nodules not demonstrating the characteristic arterial enhancement followed by washout, the absence of tumor enhancement in the hepatocyte phase is also suggestive of HCC [13].…”