Validation of a Liver Index and Its Significance for HCC Aggressiveness

Abstract

We recently constructed a liver index (LI) from four liver parameters, namely: blood total bilirubin, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), albumin, and platelet levels (a cirrhosis surrogate). We found that the scores for the liver index related significantly to a four-parameter HCC aggressiveness index (maximum tumor diameter, multifocality, percent portal vein invasion, and blood AFP levels). To validate the relationship of liver parameters to tumor aggressiveness parameters in a larger, different HCC dataset. We now confirm these associations in another large HCC cohort. Furthermore, this liver index showed significant trends with the individual HCC aggressiveness parameters. These results provide further support for the idea that liver microenvironment, as reflected in liver function tests, may relate to HCC behavior.