SIGNIFICANCE OF PLASMA OSTEOPONTIN IN DIAGNOSIS OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS RELATED HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver that occurs predominantly in patients with underlying chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. The incidence of HCC is highest in Asia and Africa, where the endemic high prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C strongly predisposes to the development of chronic liver disease and subsequent development of HCC. The main problem physicians are facing in the management of HCC patients is that the available biomarkers are not sufficiently specific and sensitive, at the same time, there is imminent need for novel circulating biomarkers for early detection to increase disease-free survival rate. Although liver biopsy is a diagnostic procedure for HCC, its limitations include being invasive, accompanied by pain and high risk of infection and spread of malignant cells. The identification of a biochemical marker with better sensitivity and/or specificity than alpha-fetoprotein could extremely be helpful in improving early diagnosis of HCC. Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein secreted by macrophages, osteoblasts and T cells. OPN expression has been detected in many different organs and has been attributed to many pathological conditions, including inflammation, angiogenesis, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis.

The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of plasma OPN in the diagnosis of HCC among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related LC.

Patients and Methods Plasma levels of OPN will be measured in 20 healthy controls and 70 Egyptian patients with HCV-related LC.