Abstract

DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC BIO-MARKER OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

*Atef E. Abd El-Baky

ABSTRACT

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a sequel of chronic liver disease and shows high and increasing prevalence worldwide. In most cases it is associated with the presence of liver cirrhosis and has a poor prognosis. Estimation of serum laminin and type IV collagens in combination with AFP as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in different stages of hepatocellular carcinoma were the aim of this study. Methods: Forty male albino mice (20–25 g) were randomly divided into four groups (n=10), the first three groups used for induction of hepatocellular carcinoma, where all mice in the three groups received sub necrotic single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DENA) 90mg/kg body weight in 0.9% normal saline I.P. The first three groups were sacrificed after 6, 12 and 18 weeks. Fourth group (control group), served as normal healthy group received saline vehicle and was sacrificed after 18 weeks. Results: Serum level of COL-IV was significantly increased by 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 fold, Also, serum level of LM was significantly increased by 1.8, 1.9 and 2.3 fold at 6, 12, and 18 weeks respectively in comparison to that of the normal healthy control. The levels of AFP mRNA expression at 6, 12, 18 weeks were 4.4, 2.8, 6.3 fold of that of the control respectively. Serum level of ALT, AST and ALP were significantly increased at 6, 12, and 18 weeks respectively in comparison to that of the normal control. Conclusions: LM determination and COL-IV presented a better diagnostic performance HCC in different stages. The increase in AFP expression is not proportional with each stage of HCC.

Keywords: Laminin, Collagens, DENA, Mice and Liver cirrhosis.