Diagnostic Marker For Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research Articles

Study of role of melanoma-associated antigen D1 (MAGE-D1) in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fifth most common neoplasm and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Current serum biomarkers for HCC surveillance and early diagnosis, particularly alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) the most commonly used marker, lack satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, highlighting an urgent need for more effective markers with higher accuracy for early HCC detection. The downregulation of melanoma-associated antigen D1 (MAGE-D1) transcription plays a crucial role in apoptosis and inhibits cancer cell proliferation when expressed ectopically. Moreover, reduced MAGE-D1 expression correlates with improved prognosis in many cancers. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the diagnostic role of MAGE-D1 in HCC, proposing it as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of tumor progression. Serum MAGE-D1 expression was measured using RT-qPCR on 198 subjects, divided into three groups: 88 with HCC, 56 with chronic liver conditions, and 54 as healthy controls. With a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 97.5%, MAGED-1 shows strong potential as a diagnostic marker for HCC. The performance of serum MAGED-1 expression in discrimination between HCC and chronic liver condition revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.939 using the cutoff (0.752) yielded a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 85%, and an accuracy of 91%. Evaluation of the diagnostic significance of MAGED-1 demonstrated an AUC value of 0.726, with a sensitivity of 63.6% and a specificity of 73.5%. In conclusion, MAGED-1 might be a specific and sensitive biomarker for HCC, potentially improving the malignancy diagnosis and prognosis.

Evaluation of The Role of Serum Epidermal Growth Factor Like Domain 7 as A New Non-Invasive Diagnostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Cirrhotic Patients

Evaluation of The Role of Serum Epidermal Growth Factor Like Domain 7 as A New Non-Invasive Diagnostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Cirrhotic Patients

A combined model of six serum microRNAs as diagnostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and its poor prognosis is mainly due to the lack of an effective means of early diagnosis. This study aimed to identify a group of serum microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC. MethodsWe collected 190 HCC cases, 109 benign lesions of the liver, 40 cases of non-HCC tumors, and 130 healthy controls. The 469 participants were divided into training and validation sets. A literature search revealed 12 miRNAs closely associated with HCC. In the training set, significantly differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were screened using real-time quantitative PCR, and a diagnostic model of HCC was constructed using logistic regression analysis. An independent validation was performed using a validation set. The identified DE miRNAs were subjected to target gene prediction and functional analyses. ResultsCompared to the controls, the levels of miR-21, miR-221, miR-801, and miR-1246 significantly decreased in HCC (P < 0.05), while the levels of miR-26a and miR-122 significantly increased (P < 0.05). A diagnostic model based on the six DE miRNAs was successfully constructed, with AUC values of 0.953 for the training set and 0.952 for the verification set. Finally, 100 target genes of the DE miRNAs were predicted and were significantly enriched in the B cell receptor, neurotrophin, ferroptosis, and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathways. ConclusionsThe constructed diagnostic model based on six DE miRNA combinations has important clinical value for the early diagnosis of HCC

Effect and mechanism of the PTMAP5–hsa-miR-22-3p–KIF2C regulatory axis on the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary liver cancer, is known for its high malignancy potential. Despite extensive research, the etiology of HCC remains elusive, with numerous molecular mechanisms yet to be deciphered. This study delves into the influence and mechanism of the PTMAP5&amp;ndash;hsa-miR-22-3p&amp;ndash;KIF2C regulatory axis in HCC pathogenesis. A comparative analysis of gene expression profiles between the GSE87630 and GSE45267 datasets unveiled a cohort of 346 differentially expressed genes. Protein&amp;ndash;protein interaction networks were established using the STRING database, and key genes were identified through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and LASSO regression analysis. The expression and prognostic value of these key genes were further evaluated using GEPIA and Kaplan&amp;ndash;Meier analysis. Upstream miRNAs were predicted using the MiRTarBase and StarBase databases, facilitating the construction of the PTMAP5&amp;ndash;hsa-miR-22-3p&amp;ndash;KIF2C regulatory axis. Co-expression analysis of KIF2C was performed through UALCAN and StarBase, and the regulatory axis was found to play a pivotal role in HCC development through the cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, and FOXO signaling, as revealed by DAVID enrichment analysis. Furthermore, the expression and prognostic significance of KIF2C in various cancer types were assessed using TIMER and GEPIA, while TISIDB analysis revealed correlations between KIF2C expression and relevant major histocompatibility complex molecules, immunomodulators, chemokines, receptors, and immune variants in HCC. These findings also extended to HCC molecular subtypes. In conclusion, we constructed a novel PTMAP5&amp;ndash;hsa-miR-22-3p&amp;ndash;KIF2C regulatory subnetwork, which could provide valuable therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for HCC.

AIBP promotes cell proliferation and migration through the ERK1/2-MAPK signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

As a highly aggressive cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often found at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. Therefore, in addition to the surgical treatment of HCC, the drug therapy for HCC is still under continuous exploration. The primary apolipoprotein of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) is apolipoprotein A-I binding protein (AIBP), which has a significant impact on cholesterol metabolism, angiogenesis, and a wide range of inflammatory disorders, including cancer. The AIBP function in HCC is, however, yet unknown. This study aims to reveal the underlying mechanisms of AIBP influencing HCC proliferation and migration through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. AIBP expression and its clinical prognostic association were investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. The AIBP expression was studied in human HCC tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting. Colony formation assays (CFAs) and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) were used to determine in vitro cell proliferation. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated using wound-healing and transwell assays. A xenograft tumor model was employed to investigate HCC cell proliferation in nude mice. Tissues from HCC patients had much increased AIBP expression compared to nearby normal tissues. The prognosis for patients was bleak when AIBP expression was high. When AIBP was overexpressed in SMMC-7721 cells, the cells may become more proliferative, migrative, and invasive. In contrast, the HCC-LM3 cells' ability to proliferate, migrate, and invade was drastically decreased once AIBP was knocked down in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo research showed that AIBP overexpression may enhance cell proliferation in HCC. Finally, we discovered that AIBP could control the MAPK signaling pathway-involved genes expression, including P-MEK, MEK, c-Myc, P-ERK1/2, and ERK1/2, and that GDC-0994, a specific ERK1/2 inhibitor, could suppress the AIBP overexpression induced cell migration and proliferation abilities. These findings demonstrated that the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway might be stimulated by AIBP in HCC tissues, leading to increased cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. It was hypothesized that AIBP might act as a useful prognostic and diagnostic marker for HCC.

Molybdenum's Role as an Essential Element in Enzymes Catabolizing Redox Reactions: A Review.

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential element for human life, acting as a cofactor in various enzymes crucial for metabolic homeostasis. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the latest advances in research on molybdenum-containing enzymes and their clinical significance. One of these enzymes is xanthine oxidase (XO), which plays a pivotal role in purine catabolism, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) capable of inducing oxidative stress and subsequent organ dysfunction. Elevated XO activity is associated with liver pathologies such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aldehyde oxidases (AOs) are also molybdenum-containing enzymes that, similar to XO, participate in drug metabolism, with notable roles in the oxidation of various substrates. However, beneath its apparent efficacy, AOs' inhibition may impact drug effectiveness and contribute to liver damage induced by hepatotoxins. Another notable molybdenum-enzyme is sulfite oxidase (SOX), which catalyzes the conversion of sulfite to sulfate, crucial for the degradation of sulfur-containing amino acids. Recent research highlights SOX's potential as a diagnostic marker for HCC, offering promising sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing cancerous lesions. The newest member of molybdenum-containing enzymes is mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component (mARC), involved in drug metabolism and detoxification reactions. Emerging evidence suggests its involvement in liver pathologies such as HCC and NAFLD, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target. Overall, understanding the roles of molybdenum-containing enzymes in human physiology and disease pathology is essential for advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for various health conditions, particularly those related to liver dysfunction. Further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying these enzymes' functions could lead to novel treatments and improved patient outcomes.

Evaluation the Role of Lipocalin 2 as a New Non-Invasive Diagnostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Cirrhotic Patients

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide. In Egypt, it represents the fourth common cancer. Significant risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma include viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and hepatitis C), alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic liver steatohepatitis/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. HCC occurs in 80%-90% of patients with cirrhosis. The annual incidence of HCC in patients with cirrhosis is 2-4%. Aim of the Work The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of lipocalin 2 (LCN 2) as a diagnostic marker in HCC Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods A case-control study in Ain- Shams University Hospital for 6 months period and the study will be conducted on 96 Egyptian patients (32 HCC patients, 32 liver cirrhosis without HCC, 32 normal control persons). Res1ults We found that LCN 2 level ranged from 150 to 380 in HCC group with mean±SD = 292.750±50.940, from 88 to 280 in cirrhotic patients with mean± SD = 129.313±36.605, from 40 to 62 in control group with mean± SD = 53.250± 4.958, being statistically significant higher in HCC group more than both cirrhotic group and control group and in cirrhotic patients more than control group (p-value = &amp;lt;0.001). The results showing sensitivity of 96.87% and specificity 96.87% of LCN 2 as a marker for HCC with accuracy of 98.4%,with cut off &amp;gt; 160. The presence of (LCN-2) in blood and urine, in combination with α-Fetoprotein (AFP), is a biomarker of early stages of HCC. LCN 2 is a promising serum tumor marker for HCC diagnosis. Conclusion We concluded from this study that: Serum LCN 2 level was significantly higher in patients with HCC and mildly elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to the control group. So it can be used as a tumor marker for HCC diagnosis. Use of LCN 2 with AFP or possibly other markers will improve the diagnostic field and can help in early detection of HCC in surveillance programms. We need further studies on large number of HCC patients of different etiologies and on metastaic liver tumors to clarify the accuracy and potential diagnostic role of LCN 2 in the future.

Circulating miRNA’s biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients based on machine learning algorithms

Liver cancer, which ranks sixth globally and third in cancer-related deaths, is caused by chronic liver disorders and a variety of risk factors. Despite therapeutic improvements, the prognosis for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate for advanced cases of less than 12%. Although there is a noticeable decrease in the frequency of cases, liver cancer remains a significant worldwide health concern, with estimates surpassing one million cases by 2025. The prevalence of HCC has increased in Egypt, and it includes several neoplasms with distinctive messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles. In HCC patients, certain miRNAs, such as miRNA-483-5P and miRNA-21, are upregulated, whereas miRNA-155 is elevated in HCV-infected people, encouraging hepatocyte proliferation. Short noncoding RNAs called miRNAs in circulation have the potential as HCC diagnostic and prognostic markers. This paper proposed a model for examining circulating miRNAs as diagnostic and predictive markers for HCC in Egyptian patients and their clinical and pathological characteristics. The proposed HCC detection model consists of three main phases: data preprocessing phase, feature selection based on the proposed Binary African Vulture Optimization Algorithm (BAVO) phase, and finally, classification as well as cross-validation phase. The first phase namely the data preprocessing phase tackle the main problems associated with the adopted datasets. In the feature selection based on the proposed BAVO algorithm phase, a new binary version of the BAVO swarm-based algorithm is introduced to select the relevant markers for HCC. Finally, in the last phase, namely the classification and cross-validation phase, the support vector machine and k-folds cross-validation method are utilized. The proposed model is evaluated on three studies on Egyptians who had HCC. A comparison between the proposed model and traditional statistical studies is reported to demonstrate the superiority of using the machine learning model for evaluating circulating miRNAs as diagnostic markers of HCC. The specificity and sensitivity for differentiation of HCC cases in comparison with the statistical-based method for the first study were 98% against 88% and 99% versus 92%, respectively. The second study revealed the sensitivity and specificity were 97.78% against 90% and 98.89% versus 92.5%, respectively. The third study reported 83.2% against 88.8% and 95.80% versus 92.4%, respectively. Additionally, the results show that circulating miRNA-483-5p, 21, and 155 may be potential new prognostic and early diagnostic biomarkers for HCC.

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width as a Diagnostic Marker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients

Background and Aim Although α-fetoprotein (AFP) is the main marker used for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), its sensitivity and specificity as a screening tool have been questionable. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been involved as a prognostic tool for many diseases and cancers including liver diseases. Still, its role in the diagnosis of HCC needs to be identified. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical importance of RDW as a novel marker in the diagnosis of HCC in Egyptian cirrhotic patients. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on 162 cirrhotic patients who attended Tropical medicine department clinics and inpatient wards at the Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University. Then they were divided into 2 groups of 81 patients each depending on their diagnosis with or without HCC (group I and group II respectively). Complete blood picture (CBC) that included red cell distribution width- coefficient of variation (RDW-CV) and AFP were obtained from all patients. Results There was a statistically significant elevation in RDW-CV in the HCC group as its mean± SD was 15.2.± 1.86 in HCC group versus 13.8 ± 1.99 in non HCC group (P&lt;0.001). In addition, AFP was significantly elevated in group I than in group II (P&lt;0.001). RDW-CV at a cut–off &gt;14% had a 66.76%sensitivity and 61.73%specificity while AFP at a cut-off value&gt;20 ng/ml had a 60.49%sensitivity and 79.01%specificity in the diagnosis of HCC. The combination of RDW-CV and AFP increased the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of HCC(72.84% and 87.65% respectively) than each marker alone. Conclusions RDW may be considered a novel and cheap biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC either alone or in combination with AFP as it is readily available in CBC and does not need sophisticated techniques.

MiR-203 and Endocan as Diagnostic Markers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related Viral Infections

MiR-203 and Endocan as Diagnostic Markers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related Viral Infections

The Correlation of Centromere Protein Q with Diagnosis and Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major types of liver cancer. Previous studies have shown that the centromere protein family is associated with malignant biological behaviors such as HCC proliferation. As a member of the centromere protein family, centromere protein Q (CENPQ) is closely associated with immunotherapy and immune cell infiltration in various tumors. However, the role and mechanism of CENPQ in HCC remain unclear. Multiple public databases and RT-qPCR were used to study the expression of CENPQ in HCC. Based on TCGA data, the correlation between CENPQ and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of HCC patients was analyzed, and its diagnostic value was evaluated. The potential biological functions of CENPQ in HCC were explored by functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes. The distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cell types was assessed using single-sample GSEA, and immune checkpoint gene expression was analyzed using Spearman correlation. Subsequently, loss-of-function experiments were performed to determine the function of CENPQ on the cell cycle and proliferation of HCC cells in vitro. CENPQ was found highly expressed in HCC and correlated with weight, BMI, age, AFP, T stage, pathologic stage, histologic grade, and prothrombin time (all p < 0.05). ROC and Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated that CENPQ may be potentially used as a diagnostic marker for HCC (AUC = 0.881), and its upregulation is associated with decreased OS (p = 0.002), DSS (p < 0.001), and PFI (p = 0.002). Functional enrichment analysis revealed an association of CENPQ with biological processes such as immune cell infiltration, cell cycle, and hippo-merlin signaling deregulation in HCC. Furthermore, knockdown of CENPQ manifested in HCC cells with G0/1 phase cycle arrest and decreased proliferative capacity. CENPQ expression was higher in HCC tissues than in normal liver tissues. It was significantly associated with poor prognosis, immune cell infiltration, cell cycle, and proliferation. Therefore, CENPQ may become a promising prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.

Systematic review: Glycomics as diagnostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer with one of the highest cancer-related mortality rates worldwide. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving the therapeutic options and reducing the disease-related mortality. To investigate serum N-glycomics as diagnostic markers for HCC. We performed a comprehensive search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus through August 17, 2023. Eligible studies assessed the potential use of serum N-glycomics as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Of the 48 articles included, 11 evaluated the utility of N-glycomics for the diagnosis of HCC in whole serum while the remaining articles focused on specific protein glycoforms or protein levels. Of these specific proteins, haptoglobin, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), kininogen (Kin), α-1-antitrypsin and Golgi protein 73 (GP73) were the most frequently studied. Increased levels of fucosylation and branching presented as the most prevalent post-translational modifications of glycoproteins in patients with HCC compared to controls. Notably, glycomics-based biomarkers may provide a clinical benefit for the diagnosis of early HCC, as several algorithms achieved AUCs between 0.92-0.97. However, these were based on single studies with limited sample sizes and should therefore be validated. Alterations in serum N-glycomics, characterised by increased levels of fucosylation and branching, have potential as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC. Optimisation of study design, patient selection and analysing techniques are needed before clinical implementation will be possible.

Hepatocellular carcinoma cell-derived small extracellular vesicle-associated CD147 serves as a diagnostic marker and promotes endothelial cell angiogenesis via the PI3K/Akt pathway

Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. The process of HCC development is closely related to angiogenesis. Plasma exosomes have diagnostic value in many diseases and have become a current research hotspot. We aimed to identify a key molecule in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) involved in angiogenesis as a diagnostic marker for HCC and uncover the mechanism underlying its regulation in the angiogenesis process. Methods: Nano‐flow cytometer (nFCM) was used to detect CD147 expression in plasma-derived sEVs in 155 HCC patients, 59 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 82 healthy donors (HD). The mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma cell-derived sEVs CD147 promoting angiogenesis was elucidated by cell proliferation assay, scratch wound healing assay, transwell assay, tube formation assay, and in vivo Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay. Results: We found that CD147 expression was significantly higher in HCC tissue samples than in normal tissues. We also found a significantly larger number of CD147-positive small extracellular vesicles (CD147+ sEVs) in the plasma of HCC patients than LC patients and HD. Furthermore, we showed that hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HepG2)-derived CD147+ sEVs promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The CD147+ sEVs upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby promoting angiogenesis. Conclusion: HCC-derived sEVs-associated CD147 serves as a diagnostic marker and promotes endothelial cell angiogenesis via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

The Gut Microbiome as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The microbiome is pivotal in maintaining health and influencing disease by modulating essential inflammatory and immune responses. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranking as the third most common cause of cancer-related fatalities globally, is influenced by the gut microbiome through bidirectional interactions between the gut and liver, as evidenced in both mouse models and human studies. Consequently, biomarkers based on gut microbiota represent promising non-invasive tools for the early detection of HCC. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the composition of the gut microbiota may play a role in the efficacy of immunotherapy in different types of cancer; thus, it could be used as a predictive biomarker. In this review, we will dissect the gut microbiome's role as a potential predictive and diagnostic marker in HCC and evaluate the latest progress in leveraging the gut microbiome as a novel therapeutic avenue for HCC patients, with a special emphasis on immunotherapy.

Study for the Significance of Osteopontin vs Alpha Feto Protein as a Diagnostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients with HCV

Abstract Background Outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends mainly on its early diagnosis. The performance of traditional biomarkers is not satisfactory. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used serum biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), despite its limitations. Several studies have reported that osteopontin (OPN) is a promising marker for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, some studies emerged with conflicting results, Aim of the Work To evaluate the clinical significance of the plasma osteopontin (OPN) versus alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients Patients and Methods This study was Case-Control study, was conducted at internal Medicine and Gastroenterology outpatient clinics and ward in Ain Shams University Hospitals on Patients divided into 3 groups: (Group 1): 50 patients with previously diagnosed HCC on top of chronic HCV induced cirrhosis, (Group II): 15 chronic HCV patients with cirrhosis, (Group III):15 healthy controls during a period of Six months Results There was high statistically significant difference between the studied groups as regard OPN and AFP, Conclusion Plasma OPN level was elevated in the HCV-related HCC patients by comparison to the chronic HCV patients with cirrhosis and healthy controls. OPN is a promising tumor marker that could be added to the current standard tests for the diagnosis of HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis, due to Chronic HCV infection, in order to detect the disease at an early stage and, hence, improve the prognosis and survival rates of these patients

Pan-Cancer Profiling and Digital Pathology Analysis Reveal Negative Prognostic Biomarker ZPR1 Associated with Immune Infiltration and Treatment Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ZPR1 is a zinc finger-containing protein that plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases, lipid metabolism disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the expression pattern, prognostic value, and treatment response of ZPR1 in pan-cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Pan-cancer expression profiles and relevant clinical data were acquired from UCSC Xena platform. Pan-cancer expression, epigenetic profile, and clinical correlation analysis for ZPR1 were performed. We next explored the prognostic significance and potential biological functions of ZPR1 in HCC. Furthermore, the relationship between ZPR1 and immune infiltration and treatment response was investigated. Finally, quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was applied to assess the correlation of ZPR1 expression and immune microenvironment in HCC tissues using Qupath software. ZPR1 was differentially expressed in most tumor types and significantly up-regulated in HCC. ZPR1 showed hypo-methylated status in most tumors. Pan-cancer correlation analysis indicated that ZPR1 was closely associated with clinicopathological factors and TMB, MSI, and stemness index in HCC. High ZPR1 expression could be an independent risk factor for adverse prognosis in HCC. ZPR1 correlated with immune cell infiltration and therapeutic response. Finally, IHC results suggested that ZPR1 correlated with CD4, CD56, CD68, and PD-L1 expression and is a promising pathological diagnostic marker in HCC. Immune infiltrate-associated ZPR1 could be considered a novel negative prognostic biomarker for therapeutic response in HCC.

An electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer biosensor based on Luminol-LDH and CuS@Pt for detection of alpha-fetoprotein

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the best diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and plays an important role in the general surveillance of the population. Therefore, the establishment of an ultra-sensitive AFP assay is essential for the early screening and clinical diagnosis of HCC. In this work, we designed a signal-off biosensor for ultra-sensitive detection of AFP based on an electrochemiluminescent resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) strategy using luminol intercalated layered bimetallic hydroxide (Luminol-LDH) as an ECL donor and Pt nanoparticles-grown on copper sulfide nanospheres (CuS@Pt) as ECL acceptor. The (Au NPs/Luminol-LDH)n multilayer nanomembrane synthesized by our intercalation and layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly process not only effectively immobilizes luminol but also significantly enhances the ECL signal. The CuS@Pt composite has well visible light absorption ability and can burst the light emitted from luminol by ECL-RET. The biosensor showed good linearity in the range from 10−5 ng mL−1 to 100 ng mL−1 and a minimum detection limit of 2.6 fg mL−1. Therefore, the biosensor provides a novel and efficient strategy for the detection of AFP, which is important for the early screening and clinical diagnosis of HCC.

Heat shock proteins as diagnostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma: a novel approach

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor of the liver. Heat shock proteins play their part in response to cellular stress. They are overexpressed in many forms of cancers where they shield malignant cells from stressful environment thus contributing to poor prognosis and treatment resistance. HSP 27, a heat shock protein mostly associated with Hepatitis induced hepatocellular cancer, inhibits apoptosis and HSP 70 along with HSP 90 contributes to tumor metastasis. HSP 70 count is higher in tumor cells in comparison with normal cells and it is related to tumor size, stage and vessel invasion while HSP 20 count regresses as tumor progresses. Considering all these factors, differentiation of HCC from other liver pathologies becomes much easier at an early stage. Early diagnosis of HCC is important and timely and prompt treatment can decrease the mortality associated with HCC. On the grounds of many useful characteristics like early detection and accuracy in detailing of size, invasion and metastasis of tumor our Review suggests that along with it all HSPs also have therapeutic potential as targeting the specific markers can help patients diagnosed with HCC. HSPs are the innovation from diagnosis to management to cure of HCC. Extensive research exploring Heat Shock Proteins and Hepatocellular Carcinoma was done on search engines such as Science Direct, OVID, Google Scholar, PubMed, and MEDLINE. Articles published in languages other than English were also considered. Data that were solely published in conference or meeting proceedings, websites, or books were not included.

Serum Trefoil Factor 3 as a diagnostic Marker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related to Chronic Hepatitis C Cirrhosis

Serum Trefoil Factor 3 as a diagnostic Marker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related to Chronic Hepatitis C Cirrhosis

Assessment of serum CXCL9 and pentraxin 3 as novel markers for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic hepatitis C patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary cancer of the liver. It is also one of the world's most common cancers and an important leading cause of cancer mortality in many parts of the world. As a result, it is essential to look for efficient markers for early and accurate HCC diagnosis. CXCL9 and pentraxin 3 are involved in the pathway of many cancers. The aim of the study was to assess the value of serum CXCL9 and pentraxin 3 as diagnostic markers of HCC among cirrhotic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. The current study was conducted on 90 candidates divided into 3 groups: group I - 30 patients with HCV induced liver cirrhosis without HCC; group II - 30 patients with HCV induced liver cirrhosis with HCC; group III - 30 healthy subjects (control group). All candidates were subjected to detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations, serum CXCL9, serum pentraxin 3, ultrasound abdomen and CT triphasic liver in group III. Serum CXCL9 and serum pentraxin 3 levels were significantly higher in group II than group I and significantly higher in group I than group III. Serum CXCL9 and serum pentraxin 3 could be utilized as diagnostic markers for HCC.