Amphiregulin as a Novel Biomarker in Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma before and after Treatment

Abstract

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common tumour worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer-related death with a male-to-female predominance greater than 2:1. Our study depended on assessment of the diagnostic performance of serum AREG in HCC detection in addition to their correlation with different clinicopathological parameters in HCC and cirrhotic patients. Aim of the Work The aim of this work is to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum level of Amphiregulin for HCC and its prognostic value after transarterial chemo-embolization (TACE) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Patients and Methods The study included 60 subjects divided into two groups: group I was 30 randomly patients with liver cirrhosis as a control, group II was 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent intervention with TACE or RF. Results Serum AREG levels was significantly higher between HCC group and liver cirrhosis group and it is suitable for diagnostic use. It was shown that the follow up level of AREG had a significant diagnostic performance in diagnosis of HCC recurrence at cut off value of ≥ 29.7 with sensitivity of 60% and specificity was 96%. Conclusion AREG is not suitable as a diagnostic marker for HCC but can be used as a prognostic marker for HCC after treatment, as it was found to be useful in prediction of possible tumour recurrence.