Altered TRAF3 and IKKα expression associated with advanced tumor stage and metastasis and poor prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 3 (TRAF3) and IκB Kinase alpha (IKKα) are both thought to be involved in human carcinogenesis. This study analyzed their expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma for association with clinicopathological data, and survival of patients. Methods: The expression of TRAF3 and IKKα in 50 ICC specimens, 50 adjacent normal tissues and 16 normal bile duct tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results: The amount of TRAF3 expression in ICC specimens was statistically lower than that in normal epithelial tissues and adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01); The amount of IKKα expression in ICC specimens was statistically higher than that in normal epithelial tissues and adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01). The degree of TRAF3 and IKKα expression in ICC tissues were correlative and presents negative correlation (P<0.05). Expression of TRAF3 and IKKα was related with pathological TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01), while not related with age, sex, tumor size, HBsAg or AFP. The overall survival were significantly longer for patients with TRAF3 higher expression or IKKα lower expression than those with NUAK1 lower expression or IKKα higher expression. Multivariate analysis identified that TRAF3 and IKKα were both independent prognostic factors for survival time. Conclusion: Altered TRAF3 and IKKα expression associated with advanced tumor stage and metastasis and poor prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.