LAUSR

Background/Aim: This study aimed to evaluate how NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) affects survival after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 88 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM. Of the 88 patients, preoperative chemotherapy was administered to 30 patients. Immunohistochemistry of the resected specimens was conducted using monoclonal anti-NQO1 antibody. Results: NQO1-positive expression in tumor cells of CRLM was associated with worse overall survival (p=0.026) and was an independent adverse prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio=5.296, p=0.007). Among 30 patients who received preoperative chemotherapy, patients with loss of NQO1 expression in non-neoplastic epithelial cells of the bile ducts (NQO1 polymorphism: n=19) showed significantly better response to preoperative chemotherapy for CRLM (p=0.004). Conclusion: NQO1-positive expression in tumor cells of CRLM may be an adverse prognostic factor after hepatectomy for CRLM.