Recent Advances in Tumor Markers of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most devastating malignancies in the world and is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in Korea. Because most HCC are accompanied by chronic liver disease that results from hepatitis B or C viruses, prognosis is still poor even after surgical resection of the tumor. Moreover, diagnosis of advanced HCC still leads to an extremely bleak prognosis. Earlier detection of HCC, therefore, could improve patient survival. Accordingly, the development of tumor markers that can detect HCC at even earlier stages is essential. The functions of tumor markers include prediction of prognosis or therapeutic response as well as diagnosis or screening of cancer. Possible candidate tumor markers may be quantitative alterations in DNA-, RNA- or protein-based molecules in tumorous conditions assessed by various technologies, e.g. serological assays, microarrays, mass spectrometry and proteomics. However, validation and clinical implementation is needed after the discovery of novel genes. An ideal tumor marker for HCC would be sensitive and specific enabling to differentiate it at an early stage from premalignant lesions like dysplastic nodules. In addition, the marker should be easily measurable, reproducible and minimally invasive. Although it is important to identify new biomarkers for HCC, the validation and cost-effectiveness of those markers as diagnostic or prognostic tools need confirmation in large-scale studies in clinical practice.

Serum protein biomarkers screening in HCC patients with liver cirrhosis by ICAT-LC-MS/MS

“…The ideal biomarker should have low false-positive and negative rates and be sensitive, specific, quantifiable, and capable of detecting tumors at an early stage to allow (Yoon 2008). AFP is routinely monitored as a marker for HCC, but it lacks sensitivity and specificity.…”

Evaluation of biomarkers for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus

“…Accordingly, the development of tumor markers that can detect HCC at earlier stages is essential. The functions of tumor markers include prediction of prognosis or therapeutic response as well as diagnosis or screening of cancer [14]. As markers of HCC occurrence are still very scarce, and early detection of HCC increases the chance of treatment, consequently, the objective of the present study was to assess a panel of biomarkers that can significantly increase both the specificity and sensitivity to recognize HCC, quantitatively.…”

Analysis of various malignant neoplasms detected by FDG-PET cancer screening program: based on a Japanese Nationwide Survey

“…It appeared that abdominal ultrasonography was the expecting screening modality to cover FDG-PET and PET/ CT; however, it should be considered that ultrasonography is highly dependent on operator skill and patient physique. Patients infected with the hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HCV) are at high risk for the development of HCC [17]; thus, it may be a useful test for screening hepatic cancer even if few facilities have adopted HBV and/or HCV in their screening program. Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was seen in patients with HCC, while it depended on the AFP threshold [18].…”