Assessment of the Level of Soluble CD25 as a Marker for the Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Infected Patients

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most potential pathogens all over the world. Egypt has the highest HCV prevalence in the world. The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among cancers with the poorest outlook. The detection of HCC improves the outcome. The poor sensitivity of AFP underlines the need for a biomarker that can detect HCC. It was found that the CD25 is increased in patients with HCC. Aim: To assess the performance of serum soluble CD25 (sCD25) in the prediction of early HCC and compare it to α-fetoprotein (AFP); the classical biomarker of HCC. Patients and Methods: This study was a descriptive study. Patients were recruited from the Hepatology and Gastro-enterology department at Suez Canal University hospital. The study included 60 subjects, normal healthy individuals (n=20), cirrhotic patients (n=20) and HCC patients (n=20). 2 blood samples were collected from each patient one for liver profile and second stored for sCD25. Liver function tests, AFP and sCD25 were done to all the participants. Results: Our results show a highly significant increased levels of sCD25 in patients with cirrhotic liver and HCC compared to normal controls, (p=0.001). No difference was found in sCD25 levels in HCC patients compared to liver cirrhosis patients (p=0.862). Conclusion: sCD25 can differentiate HCC patients from normal healthy persons but not from cirrhotic patients. Thus, sCD25 cannot be used as an accurate diagnostic marker for HCC.