MST1/2, c/nYAP and pTAZ were significantly different between HCC/NT (p < 0.001, p = 0.029, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and mono-/polyclonal hepatocellular lesions (HCC/HCA vs. FNH/cirrhosis; all p ≤ 0.001).
To address whether epigenetic changes take place in connection to age and/or to the underlying disease, we investigated RASSF1A and NORE1A gene promoter methylation by conventional methylation specific PCR and Real-Time MSP in a series of hepatitic and non-hepatitic livers harboring regenerative/hyperplastic (cirrhosis/focal nodular hyperplasia), dysplastic (large regenerative, low and high grade dysplastic nodules) and neoplastic (hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma) growths.