Evaluation of the Role of Serum Vimentin as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

epatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major unresolved medical issue, which is considered as the seventh most common cancer globally and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, with approximately 700,000 deaths per year Early detection of HCC in high risk subjects (hepatitis and cirrhosis) could improve their clinical outcomes and, indeed, many lives can be saved by effective treatments such as hepatectomy and local radiofrequency ablation therapies when the tumors are still small. Serum concentrations of AFP have been shown to be the most useful tumor marker with regards to HCC but levels may be normal in up to 40% of patients, reducing its sensitivity. Moreover, it may be increased in patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis, compromising its specificity. Vimentin is classified as a type III intermediate filament (IF) protein. Its function is to maintain cellular integrity and protect the cell against stress. It is the major cytoskeletal component of mesenchymal cells. It also plays a significant role in cell shape maintenance and in stabilizing cytoskeletal interactions. Vimentin also plays a significant role in cell shape maintenance and in stabilizing cytoskeletal interactions. Its overexpression has been found in various cancers, including prostate cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, CNS tumors, breast cancer, and malignant melanoma.