Abstract
Background: The discovery of miRNAs circulating in the peripheral blood has opened new directions of research to identify new non-invasive markers for diagnosis of diseases. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression levels of circulating plasma miRNAs (miRNA-21 & miRNA-122) in Egyptian patients with chronic uncomplicated and complicated HCV. Patients & Methods: This study was conducted on 60 Chronic HCV infected patients. Patients were divided into three groups (20 patients each): uncomplicated HCV, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All patients were subjected to laboratory investigations including complete blood picture, liver function tests. Expression levels of miRNA-21 and -122 in plasma using RT-PCR were determined. Results: MiRNA-21 showed significant fold increase in chronic uncomplicated HCV while significant fold decrease in cirrhotic and HCC groups (P = 0.036). On the other hand, miRNA-122 showed significant fold elevation in both chronic uncomplicated and cirrhotic groups and significant fold decrease in HCC group (P = 0.005). ROC curve analysis for miRNA-122 yielded 68.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the differentiation of HCC patients from non-HCC at a cutoff 0.184. Neither miRNA-21 nor miRNA-122 was a successful predictor for HCC diagnosis. Conclusion: MiRNA-122 can be used as novel non-invasive biomarker for monitoring HCV related disease progression.
Highlights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, with an estimated prevalence of 170 million cases worldwide
There was a male predominance in HCV-related liver disease patients in the two groups representing 62.5% & 100% in non-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and HCC groups, respectively
Total leucocyte count was significantly higher in HCC group versus the cirrhotic group, while, the hemoglobin level was significantly higher in cirrhotic group versus the 2 other groups (P = 0.001)
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, with an estimated prevalence of 170 million cases worldwide. Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV infection worldwide (15%) and the highest prevalence of HCV-4; HCV-4 is responsible for 90% of the total HCV infections in Egypt [2] This extraordinarily high prevalence has resulted in an increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt, which is the second most frequent cause of cancer and cancer mortality among men [3]. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression levels of circulating plasma miRNAs (miRNA-21 & miRNA-122) in Egyptian patients with chronic uncomplicated and complicated HCV. Patients were divided into three groups (20 patients each): uncomplicated HCV, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results: MiRNA-21showed significant fold increase in chronic uncomplicated HCV while significant fold decrease in cirrhotic and HCC groups (P = 0.036). Conclusion: MiRNA-122 can be used as novel non-invasive biomarker for monitoring HCV related disease progression
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
