Evaluation of some biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis in chronic hepatitis C patients

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major worldwide health problem and represents the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early diagnosis of HCC remains a challenge due to the geographic and biological heterogeneity of the disease and lack of consensus on how to best classify stages of prognosis in HCC patients, but it is still crucial for improving the survival rate for patients. The diagnostic and predictive abilities of biomarkers are limited by the heterogeneous nature of HCCs; there is no perfect single biomarker of this tumor. To improve performance, combinations of biomarkers (panels), or combinations of biomarkers and clinical parameters or laboratory test results, might be sought. The objective of the present study was to assess a panel of biomarkers that can significantly increase both the specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCV-related HCC. For this purpose, a group of biomarkers including two novel ones; the vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and soluble platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1(sPECAM-1) were assessed in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma. The ROC analyses were also applied to evaluate the specificity and