Human vascular adhesion proteın-1 (VAP-1): Serum levels for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease

Ozgur Kemik,Sefa Tuzun,Aziz Sümer,Ahmet Cumhur Dulger,Ahu Sarbay Kemik,Veyis İtik,Sevim Purisa

doi:10.1186/1477-7819-8-83

Abstract

BackgroundThe incidence of hepatocellular cancer in complicated alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases is on the rise in western countries as well in our country. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) levels have been presented as new marker. In our study protocol, we assessed the value of this serum protein, as a newly postulant biomarker for hepatocellular cancer in patients with a history of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.MethodsPre-operative serum samples from 55 patients with hepatocellular cancer with a history of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases and patients with cirrhosis were assessed by a quantitative sandwich ELISA using anti-VAP-1 mAbs. This technique is used to determine the levels of soluble VAP-1 (sVAP-1) in the serum.ResultssVAP-1 levels were evaluated in patients with hepatocellular cancer and liver cirrhosis. There was a significant difference in mean VAP-1 levels between groups. Serum VAP-1 levels were found higher in patients with hepatocellular cancer.ConclusionThese findings indicate that the serum level of sVAP-1 might be a beneficial marker of disease activity in chronic liver diseases.

Highlights

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem worldwide, with more than 5,00,000 cases diagnosed annually [1]
Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) has been used for the diagnosis of HCC arising from steatohepatitis associated with cirrhosis as an important marker
We aimed to demonstrate that soluble VAP-1 (sVAP-1) levels can be elevated in patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases preceding hepatocellular cancer

Summary

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem worldwide, with more than 5,00,000 cases diagnosed annually [1]. Etiologies of the tumors in our HCC patients were mainly in alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. VAP-1 is one of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules that mediate binding of lymphocytes to the endothelium under some conditions [3,4]. It is primarily expressed in high endothelial venules in peripheral lymph nodes. The incidence of hepatocellular cancer in complicated alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases is on the rise in western countries as well in our country. We assessed the value of this serum protein, as a newly postulant biomarker for hepatocellular cancer in patients with a history of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases

Objectives

Methods

Results