Evaluation of Human Epidermal Growth Factor as a Tumor Marker in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related to Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The primary marker for HCC is Alpha fetoprotein (AFP), however, AFP is not secreted in all cases of HCC and may be normal in as many as 40% of patients with early HCC. Therefore, it was necessary to identify new HCC markers that have a sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of HCC patients. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a mitogen for hepatocytes, and mounting evidence supports a role for EGF in malignant transformation, tumor growth and progression.