1
|
Chan YT, Zhang C, Wu J, Lu P, Xu L, Yuan H, Feng Y, Chen ZS, Wang N. Biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic options in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:189. [PMID: 39242496 PMCID: PMC11378508 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02101-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a global health challenge, causing a significant social-economic burden. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant type of primary liver cancer, which is highly heterogeneous in terms of molecular and cellular signatures. Early-stage or small tumors are typically treated with surgery or ablation. Currently, chemotherapies and immunotherapies are the best treatments for unresectable tumors or advanced HCC. However, drug response and acquired resistance are not predictable with the existing systematic guidelines regarding mutation patterns and molecular biomarkers, resulting in sub-optimal treatment outcomes for many patients with atypical molecular profiles. With advanced technological platforms, valuable information such as tumor genetic alterations, epigenetic data, and tumor microenvironments can be obtained from liquid biopsy. The inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity of HCC are illustrated, and these collective data provide solid evidence in the decision-making process of treatment regimens. This article reviews the current understanding of HCC detection methods and aims to update the development of HCC surveillance using liquid biopsy. Recent critical findings on the molecular basis, epigenetic profiles, circulating tumor cells, circulating DNAs, and omics studies are elaborated for HCC diagnosis. Besides, biomarkers related to the choice of therapeutic options are discussed. Some notable recent clinical trials working on targeted therapies are also highlighted. Insights are provided to translate the knowledge into potential biomarkers for detection and diagnosis, prognosis, treatment response, and drug resistance indicators in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Junyu Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Pengde Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Hongchao Yuan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miao LL, Wang JW, Liu HH, Gao S, Fan YC, Wang K. Hypomethylation of glycine dehydrogenase promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is a new diagnostic marker of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024; 23:35-42. [PMID: 36878837 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2023.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycine dehydrogenase (GLDC) plays an important role in the initiation and proliferation of several human cancers. In this study, we aimed to detect the methylation status of GLDC promoter and its diagnostic value for hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC). METHODS We enrolled 197 patients, 111 with HBV-HCC, 51 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 35 healthy controls (HCs). The methylation status of GLDC promoter in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was identified by methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The mRNA expression was examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS The methylation frequency of the GLDC promoter was significantly lower in HBV-HCC patients (27.0%) compared to that in CHB patients (68.6%) and HCs (74.3%) (P < 0.001). The methylated group had lower alanine aminotransferase level (P = 0.035) and lower rates of tumor node metastasis (TNM) III/IV (P = 0.043) and T3/T4 (P = 0.026). TNM stage was identified to be an independent factor for GLDC promoter methylation. GLDC mRNA levels in CHB patients and HCs were significantly lower than those in HBV-HCC patients (P = 0.022 and P < 0.001, respectively). GLDC mRNA levels were significantly higher in HBV-HCC patients with unmethylated GLDC promoters than those with methylated GLDC promoters (P = 0.003). The diagnostic accuracy of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) combined with GLDC promoter methylation for HBV-HCC was improved compared with that of AFP alone (AUC: 0.782 vs. 0.630, P < 0.001). In addition, GLDC promoter methylation was an independent predictor for overall survival of HBV-HCC patients (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS The methylation frequency of GLDC promoter was lower in PBMCs from HBV-HCC patients than that from patients with CHB and HCs. The combination of AFP and GLDC promoter hypomethylation significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of HBV-HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Miao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Jing-Wen Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hui-Hui Liu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tsoneva DK, Ivanov MN, Vinciguerra M. Liquid Liver Biopsy for Disease Diagnosis and Prognosis. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1520-1541. [PMID: 38161500 PMCID: PMC10752811 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver diseases are a major burden worldwide, the scope of which is expected to further grow in the upcoming years. Clinically relevant liver dysfunction-related blood markers such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase have limited accuracy. Nowadays, liver biopsy remains the gold standard for several liver-related pathologies, posing a risk of complication due to its invasive nature. Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive approach, which has shown substantial potential in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of liver diseases by detecting disease-associated particles such as proteins and RNA molecules in biological fluids. Histones are the core components of the nucleosomes, regulating essential cellular processes, including gene expression and DNA repair. Following cell death or activation of immune cells, histones are released in the extracellular space and can be detected in circulation. Histones are stable in circulation, have a long half-life, and retain their post-translational modifications. Here, we provide an overview of the current research on histone-mediated liquid biopsy methods for liver diseases, with a focus on the most common detection methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Desislava K. Tsoneva
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Transplantology, Research Institute, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Martin N. Ivanov
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Transplantology, Research Institute, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Research Institute, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Transplantology, Research Institute, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
- Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pang BY, Leng Y, Wang X, Wang YQ, Jiang LH. A meta-analysis and of clinical values of 11 blood biomarkers, such as AFP, DCP, and GP73 for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Med 2023; 55:42-61. [PMID: 36476015 PMCID: PMC9744221 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2153163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma lacks ideal diagnostic biomarkers. There is a lack of scientific evaluation of relevant promising biomarkers as well. Therefore this study reanalyzes the related studies of 11 blood biomarkers of HCC, and compares the diagnostic value of these biomarkers for HCC systematically. METHODS The relevant literatures on the diagnostic value in HCC of 11 blood indexes in recent 5 years were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries. Data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS Finally, 83 literature studies were brought into meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of AFP were 0.61 and 0.87, respectively. The AUC of AFP were 0.78. The AUC and sum of sensitivity and specificity of the combination of AFP and other biomarkers were all significantly higher than that of AFP, including AFP + AFP-L3 + DCP, AFP + DCP, AFP/DCP, AFP + GPC3. Among other biomarkers, the AUC and sum of sensitivity and specificity of biomarkers including DCP, GPC3, GP73, Hsp90alpha, midkine, and OPN were significantly higher than that of AFP. In this study, GP73 had the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity (1.78) and AUC (0.95). CONCLUSIONS The pooled sensitivity and specificity of AFP were 0.61 and 0.87, respectively. The AUC of AFP were 0.78. The combination of AFP and other biomarkers improved the diagnostic efficiency. The diagnostic value of biomarkers including DCP, GPC3, GP73, Hsp90alpha, midkine, and OPN was higher than that of AFP. GP73 had the best diagnostic value for HCC with the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity (1.78) and AUC (0.95).KEY MESSAGESThe pooled sensitivity and specificity of AFP were 0.61 and 0.87, respectively. The AUC of AFP were 0.78. The combination of AFP and other biomarkers improved the diagnostic efficiency of HCC.The diagnostic value of biomarkers including DCP, GPC3, GP73, Hsp90alpha, midkine, and OPN was higher than that of AFP.GP73 had the best diagnostic value for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Yao Pang
- Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yan Leng
- Department of Hepatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Li-Hong Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guo P, Zheng H, Li Y, Li Y, Xiao Y, Zheng J, Zhu X, Xu H, He Z, Zhang Q, Chen J, Qiu M, Jiang M, Liu P, Chen H. Hepatocellular carcinoma detection via targeted enzymatic methyl sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:2. [PMID: 36600275 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01420-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic variants carried by circulating tumor DNA can be used as biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by noninvasive liquid biopsy. However, traditional methylation analysis method, bisulfite sequencing, with disadvantages of severe DNA damage, is limited in application of low-amount cfDNA analysis. RESULTS Through mild enzyme-mediated conversion, enzymatic methyl sequencing (EM-seq) is ideal for precise determination of cell-free DNA methylation and provides an opportunity for HCC early detection. EM-seq of methylation control DNA showed that enzymatic conversion of unmethylated C to U was more efficient than bisulfite conversion. Moreover, a relatively large proportion of incomplete converted EM-seq reads contains more than 3 unconverted CH site (CH = CC, CT or CA), which can be removed by filtering to improve accuracy of methylation detection by EM-seq. A cohort of 241 HCC, 76 liver disease, and 279 normal plasma samples were analyzed for methylation value on 1595 CpGs using EM-seq and targeted capture. Model training identified 283 CpGs with significant differences in methylation levels between HCC and non-HCC samples. A HCC screening model based on these markers can efficiently distinguish HCC sample from non-HCC samples, with area under the curve of 0.957 (sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 97%) in the test set, performing well in different stages as well as in serum α-fetoprotein/protein induced by vitamin K absence-II negative samples. CONCLUSION Filtering of reads with ≥ 3 CHs derived from incomplete conversion can significantly reduce the noise of EM-seq detection. Based on targeted EM-seq analysis of plasma cell-free DNA, our HCC screening model can efficiently distinguish HCC patients from non-HCC individuals with high sensitivity and specificity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Guo
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailing Zheng
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihan Li
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuntong Li
- Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Xiao
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Zheng
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingqiang Zhu
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Xu
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi He
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinchun Chen
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingshan Qiu
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Jiang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingguo Liu
- Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongliang Chen
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China. .,School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang N, Tian X, Yan T, Wang H, Zhang D, Lin C, Liu Q, Jiang S. Insights into the role of nucleotide methylation in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148722. [PMID: 37020540 PMCID: PMC10067741 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by fatty infiltration of the liver. In recent years, the MAFLD incidence rate has risen and emerged as a serious public health concern. MAFLD typically progresses from the initial hepatocyte steatosis to steatohepatitis and then gradually advances to liver fibrosis, which may ultimately lead to cirrhosis and carcinogenesis. However, the potential evolutionary mechanisms still need to be clarified. Recent studies have shown that nucleotide methylation, which was directly associated with MAFLD's inflammatory grading, lipid synthesis, and oxidative stress, plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of MAFLD. In this review, we highlight the regulatory function and associated mechanisms of nucleotide methylation modification in the progress of MAFLD, with a particular emphasis on its regulatory role in the inflammation of MAFLD, including the regulation of inflammation-related immune and metabolic microenvironment. Additionally, we summarize the potential value of nucleotide methylation in the diagnosis and treatment of MAFLD, intending to provide references for the future investigation of MAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ni Zhang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinchen Tian
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tinghao Yan
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Haochen Wang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Dengtian Zhang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Cong Lin
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Qingbin Liu, ; Shulong Jiang,
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Qingbin Liu, ; Shulong Jiang,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li JJ, Lv Y, Ji H. Diagnostic performance of circulating tumor DNA as a minimally invasive biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14303. [PMID: 36348665 PMCID: PMC9637356 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods We enrolled all relevant studies published up to 5 January 2022. Three primary subgroups were investigated: qualitative or quantitative ctDNA analyses, combined alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and ctDNA assay. In addition to the three primary subgroups, we also evaluated the diagnostic value of methylated SEPTIN9 (mSEPT9), which has been studied extensively in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. After a search based on four primary databases, we used a bivariate linear mixed model to analyze the pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). We also plotted hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) and utilized lambda as well as the area under the curve (AUC) to create summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves to estimate the diagnostic value of ctDNA. Results A total of 59 qualified articles with 9,766 subjects were incorporated into our meta-analysis. The integrated SEN, SPE, and DOR in the qualitative studies were 0.50 (95% CI [0.43-0.56]), 0.90 (95% CI [0.86-0.93]), and 8.72 (95% CI [6.18-12.32]), respectively, yielding an AUC of 0.78 and lambda of 1.93 (95% CI [1.56-2.33]). For quantitative studies, the corresponding values were 0.69 (95% CI [0.63-0.74]), 0.84 (95% CI [0.77-0.89]), 11.88 (95% CI [7.78-18.12]), 0.81, and 2.32 (95% CI [1.96-2.69]), respectively. Six studies were included to evaluate the SETP9 methylation, which yielded an AUC of 0.86, a SEN of 0.80 (95% CI [0.71-0.87]), and a SPE of 0.77 (95% CI [0.68-0.85]). Likewise, ctDNA concentration yielded an AUC of 0.73, with a SEN of 0.63 (95% CI [0.56-0.70]) and a SPE of 0.86 (95% CI [0.74-0.93]). AFP combined with ctDNA assay resulted in an AUC of 0.89, with a SEN of 0.82 (95% CI [0.77-0.86]) and a SPE of 0.84 (95% CI [0.76-0.90]). Conclusion This study shows that circulating tumor DNA, particularly mSEPT9, shows promising diagnostic potential in HCC; however, it is not enough to diagnose HCC independently, and ctDNA combined with conventional assays such as AFP can effectively improve diagnostic performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jie Li
- Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Department, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yanqing Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Huifan Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang P, Zhang Y, Deng L, Qu Z, Guo P, Liu L, Yu Z, Wang P, Liu N. The function and regulation network mechanism of circRNA in liver diseases. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:141. [PMID: 35361205 PMCID: PMC8973545 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02559-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA), a new type of endogenous non-coding RNA, is abundantly present in eukaryotic cells, and characterized as stable high conservation and tissue specific expression. It has been generated increasing attention because of their close association with the progress of diseases. The liver is the vital organ of humans, while it is prone to acute and chronic diseases due to the influence of multiple pathogenic factors. Moreover, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the one of most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Overwhelming evidences indicate that some circRNAs are differentially expressed in liver diseases, such as, HCC, chronic hepatitis B, hepatic steatosis and hepatoblastoma tissues, etc. Additionally, these circRNAs are related to proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and metastasis of cell in liver diseases and act as oncogenic agents or suppressors, and linked to clinical manifestations. In this review, we briefly summarize the biogenesis, characterization and biological functions, recent detection and identification technologies of circRNA, and regulation network mechanism of circRNA in liver diseases, and discuss their potential values as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for liver diseases, especially on HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Wang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 540001, People's Republic of China.,South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhuan Zhang
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Lugang Deng
- South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Qu
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China.
| | - Peisen Guo
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 540001, People's Republic of China.,South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, People's Republic of China
| | - Limin Liu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 540001, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China.,South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, People's Republic of China
| | - Zengli Yu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 540001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Peixi Wang
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Liu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 540001, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China. .,South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Colli A, Nadarevic T, Miletic D, Giljaca V, Fraquelli M, Štimac D, Casazza G. Abdominal ultrasound and alpha-foetoprotein for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults with chronic liver disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 4:CD013346. [PMID: 33855699 PMCID: PMC8078581 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013346.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs mostly in people with chronic liver disease and ranks sixth in terms of global instances of cancer, and fourth in terms of cancer deaths for men. Despite that abdominal ultrasound (US) is used as an initial test to exclude the presence of focal liver lesions and serum alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) measurement may raise suspicion of HCC occurrence, further testing to confirm diagnosis as well as staging of HCC is required. Current guidelines recommend surveillance programme using US, with or without AFP, to detect HCC in high-risk populations despite the lack of clear benefits on overall survival. Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP may clarify whether the absence of benefit in surveillance programmes could be related to under-diagnosis. Therefore, assessment of the accuracy of these two tests for diagnosing HCC in people with chronic liver disease, not included in surveillance programmes, is needed. OBJECTIVES Primary: the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP, alone or in combination, for the diagnosis of HCC of any size and at any stage in adults with chronic liver disease, either in a surveillance programme or in a clinical setting. Secondary: to assess the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal US and AFP, alone or in combination, for the diagnosis of resectable HCC; to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the individual tests versus the combination of both tests; to investigate sources of heterogeneity in the results. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Diagnostic-Test-Accuracy Studies Register, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Science Citation Index Expanded, until 5 June 2020. We applied no language or document-type restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP, independently or in combination, for the diagnosis of HCC in adults with chronic liver disease, with cross-sectional and case-control designs, using one of the acceptable reference standards, such as pathology of the explanted liver, histology of resected or biopsied focal liver lesion, or typical characteristics on computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, all with a six-months follow-up. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and applicability concerns, using the QUADAS-2 checklist. We presented the results of sensitivity and specificity, using paired forest-plots, and tabulated the results. We used a hierarchical meta-analysis model where appropriate. We presented uncertainty of the accuracy estimates using 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We double-checked all data extractions and analyses. MAIN RESULTS We included 373 studies. The index-test was AFP (326 studies, 144,570 participants); US (39 studies, 18,792 participants); and a combination of AFP and US (eight studies, 5454 participants). We judged at high-risk of bias all but one study. Most studies used different reference standards, often inappropriate to exclude the presence of the target condition, and the time-interval between the index test and the reference standard was rarely defined. Most studies with AFP had a case-control design. We also had major concerns for the applicability due to the characteristics of the participants. As the primary studies with AFP used different cut-offs, we performed a meta-analysis using the hierarchical-summary-receiver-operating-characteristic model, then we carried out two meta-analyses including only studies reporting the most used cut-offs: around 20 ng/mL or 200 ng/mL. AFP cut-off 20 ng/mL: for HCC (147 studies) sensitivity 60% (95% CI 58% to 62%), specificity 84% (95% CI 82% to 86%); for resectable HCC (six studies) sensitivity 65% (95% CI 62% to 68%), specificity 80% (95% CI 59% to 91%). AFP cut-off 200 ng/mL: for HCC (56 studies) sensitivity 36% (95% CI 31% to 41%), specificity 99% (95% CI 98% to 99%); for resectable HCC (two studies) one with sensitivity 4% (95% CI 0% to 19%), specificity 100% (95% CI 96% to 100%), and one with sensitivity 8% (95% CI 3% to 18%), specificity 100% (95% CI 97% to 100%). US: for HCC (39 studies) sensitivity 72% (95% CI 63% to 79%), specificity 94% (95% CI 91% to 96%); for resectable HCC (seven studies) sensitivity 53% (95% CI 38% to 67%), specificity 96% (95% CI 94% to 97%). Combination of AFP (cut-off of 20 ng/mL) and US: for HCC (six studies) sensitivity 96% (95% CI 88% to 98%), specificity 85% (95% CI 73% to 93%); for resectable HCC (two studies) one with sensitivity 89% (95% CI 73% to 97%), specificity of 83% (95% CI 76% to 88%), and one with sensitivity 79% (95% CI 54% to 94%), specificity 87% (95% CI 79% to 94%). The observed heterogeneity in the results remains mostly unexplained, and only in part referable to different cut-offs or settings (surveillance programme compared to clinical series). The sensitivity analyses, excluding studies published as abstracts, or with case-control design, showed no variation in the results. We compared the accuracy obtained from studies with AFP (cut-off around 20 ng/mL) and US: a direct comparison in 11 studies (6674 participants) showed a higher sensitivity of US (81%, 95% CI 66% to 90%) versus AFP (64%, 95% CI 56% to 71%) with similar specificity: US 92% (95% CI 83% to 97%) versus AFP 89% (95% CI 79% to 94%). A direct comparison of six studies (5044 participants) showed a higher sensitivity (96%, 95% CI 88% to 98%) of the combination of AFP and US versus US (76%, 95% CI 56% to 89%) with similar specificity: AFP and US 85% (95% CI 73% to 92%) versus US 93% (95% CI 80% to 98%). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In the clinical pathway for the diagnosis of HCC in adults, AFP and US, singularly or in combination, have the role of triage-tests. We found that using AFP, with 20 ng/mL as a cut-off, about 40% of HCC occurrences would be missed, and with US alone, more than a quarter. The combination of the two tests showed the highest sensitivity and less than 5% of HCC occurrences would be missed with about 15% of false-positive results. The uncertainty resulting from the poor study quality and the heterogeneity of included studies limit our ability to confidently draw conclusions based on our results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Colli
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Tin Nadarevic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Damir Miletic
- Department of Radiology , Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Vanja Giljaca
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mirella Fraquelli
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca´ Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Davor Štimac
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Giovanni Casazza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Menyhárt O, Győrffy B. Multi-omics approaches in cancer research with applications in tumor subtyping, prognosis, and diagnosis. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:949-960. [PMID: 33613862 PMCID: PMC7868685 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
While cost-effective high-throughput technologies provide an increasing amount of data, the analyses of single layers of data seldom provide causal relations. Multi-omics data integration strategies across different cellular function levels, including genomes, epigenomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, metabolomes, and microbiomes offer unparalleled opportunities to understand the underlying biology of complex diseases, such as cancer. We review some of the most frequently used data integration methods and outline research areas where multi-omics significantly benefit our understanding of the process and outcome of the malignant transformation. We discuss algorithmic frameworks developed to reveal cancer subtypes, disease mechanisms, and methods for identifying driver genomic alterations and consider the significance of multi-omics in tumor classifications, diagnostics, and prognostications. We provide a comprehensive summary of each omics strategy's most recent advances within the clinical context and discuss the main challenges facing their clinical implementations. Despite its unparalleled advantages, multi-omics data integration is slow to enter everyday clinics. One major obstacle is the uneven maturity of different omics approaches and the growing gap between generating large volumes of data compared to data processing capacity. Progressive initiatives to enforce the standardization of sample processing and analytical pipelines, multidisciplinary training of experts for data analysis and interpretation are vital to facilitate the translatability of theoretical findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Otília Menyhárt
- Semmelweis University, Department of Bioinformatics and 2 Department of Pediatrics, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar tudósok körútja 2., H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Semmelweis University, Department of Bioinformatics and 2 Department of Pediatrics, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar tudósok körútja 2., H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Qian Y, Wang H, Zhang Y, Wang JW, Fan YC, Gao S, Wang K. Hypermethylation of Cyclin D2 Predicts Poor Prognosis of Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2021; 254:233-243. [PMID: 34334537 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.254.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma remains poor because of progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and high recurrence rates. Cyclin D2 (CCND2) plays a vital role in regulating the cell cycle; indeed, aberrant methylation of CCND2 is involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we aimed to investigate levels of CCND2 methylation in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma and to evaluate its prognostic significance after hepatectomy. In total, 257 subjects were enrolled (166 hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing surgical resection, 61 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and 30 healthy controls). CCND2 methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured quantitatively using MethyLight. We found that CCND2 methylation levels in patients with HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly higher than in CHB patients (P < 0.001) or healthy controls (P < 0.001). Within the hepatocellular carcinoma group, CCND2 methylation levels were higher in patients with portal vein invasion, early tumor recurrence, TNM III/IV stage, and tumor size ≥ 5 cm (P < 0.05). Furthermore, higher levels of CCND2 methylation were associated with worse overall survival and disease-free survival (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified CCND2 methylation as an independent prognostic factor for early tumor recurrence (P = 0.021), overall survival (P = 0.022), and disease-free survival (P < 0.001) in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after resection. In conclusion, hypermethylation of CCND2 may have clinical utility for predicting a high risk of poor prognosis and early tumor recurrence in patients with HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University
| | - He Wang
- Department of Hepatopathy, Qingdao Sixth People's Hospital
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University
| | - Jing-Wen Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Xu F, Zhang L, Xu Y, Song D, He W, Ji X, Shao J. Hypermethylation of SCAND3 and Myo1g Gene Are Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2332. [PMID: 32824823 PMCID: PMC7465898 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Presently, there is a lack of effective blood-based biomarkers facilitating the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, we aimed to investigate novel methylation markers for HCC diagnosis, and explore relationships between biomarker methylation and clinicopathology of HCC. The methylation status of the SCAN domain containing three (SCAND3) and myosin 1g (Myo1g) genes in HCC cell lines and tissues were detected by digital droplet PCR. The serum SCAND3 and Myo1g methylation levels were analyzed in HCC-afflicted patients and unafflicted controls. The results indicated SCAND3 and Myo1g methylation were abnormally high in the HCC cell lines and tissues. The values of serum SCAND3, Myo1g, and SCAND3 + Myo1g methylation with respect to facilitating the detection, and early detection of HCC were better than for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) alone. Furthermore, when we combined SCAND3 + Myo1g with AFP, a high sensitivity and specificity resulted. Notably, in the AFP-negative HCC group, the methylation of SCAND3 and Myo1g also showed an excellent diagnostic performance. Besides this, a high serum SCAND3 methylation level was an independent risk factor for predicting portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in HCC patients (OR = 4.746, p = 0.013). Finally, SCAND3 and Myo1g enhanced the HCC diagnostics as noninvasive serum methylation biomarkers, and the SCAND3 methylation status effectively indicated HCC accompanied by PVTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (F.X.); (L.Z.); (Y.X.); (D.S.); (W.H.); (X.J.)
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (F.X.); (L.Z.); (Y.X.); (D.S.); (W.H.); (X.J.)
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yuxia Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (F.X.); (L.Z.); (Y.X.); (D.S.); (W.H.); (X.J.)
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Di Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (F.X.); (L.Z.); (Y.X.); (D.S.); (W.H.); (X.J.)
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Wenting He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (F.X.); (L.Z.); (Y.X.); (D.S.); (W.H.); (X.J.)
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xiaomeng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (F.X.); (L.Z.); (Y.X.); (D.S.); (W.H.); (X.J.)
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jianyong Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (F.X.); (L.Z.); (Y.X.); (D.S.); (W.H.); (X.J.)
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Romero-Garcia S, Prado-Garcia H, Carlos-Reyes A. Role of DNA Methylation in the Resistance to Therapy in Solid Tumors. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1152. [PMID: 32850327 PMCID: PMC7426728 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent advances in chemotherapeutic treatments against cancer, some types of highly aggressive and invasive cancer develop drug resistance against conventional therapies, which continues to be a major problem in the fight against cancer. In recent years, studies of alterations of DNA methylome have given us a better understanding of the role of DNA methylation in the development of tumors. DNA methylation (DNAm) is an epigenetic change that promotes the covalent transfer of methyl groups to DNA. This process suppresses gene expression through the modulation of the transcription machinery access to the chromatin or through the recruitment of methyl binding proteins. DNAm is regulated mainly by DNA methyltransferases. Aberrant DNAm contributes to tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to current anti-tumoral therapies. Aberrant DNAm may occur through hypermethylation in the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes, which leads to their silencing, while hypomethylation in the promoter regions of oncogenes can activate them. In this review, we discuss the impact of dysregulated methylation in certain genes, which impact signaling pathways associated with apoptosis avoidance, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. The analysis of methylome has revealed patterns of global methylation, which regulate important signaling pathways involved in therapy resistance in different cancer types, such as breast, colon, and lung cancer, among other solid tumors. This analysis has provided gene-expression signatures of methylated region-specific DNA that can be used to predict the treatment outcome in response to anti-cancer therapy. Additionally, changes in cancer methylome have been associated with the acquisition of drug resistance. We also review treatments with demethylating agents that, in combination with standard therapies, seem to be encouraging, as tumors that are in early stages can be successfully treated. On the other hand, tumors that are in advanced stages can be treated with these combination schemes, which could sensitize tumor cells that are resistant to the therapy. We propose that rational strategies, which combine specific demethylating agents with conventional treatment, may improve overall survival in cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Romero-Garcia
- Department of Chronic-Degenerative Diseases, National Institute of Respiratory Diseases "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Heriberto Prado-Garcia
- Department of Chronic-Degenerative Diseases, National Institute of Respiratory Diseases "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Angeles Carlos-Reyes
- Department of Chronic-Degenerative Diseases, National Institute of Respiratory Diseases "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sorop A, Iacob R, Iacob S, Constantinescu D, Chitoiu L, Fertig TE, Dinischiotu A, Chivu-Economescu M, Bacalbasa N, Savu L, Gheorghe L, Dima S, Popescu I. Plasma Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p as Potential Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening. Front Genet 2020; 11:712. [PMID: 32793278 PMCID: PMC7391066 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Liquid biopsy using circulating microvesicles and exosomes is emerging as a new diagnostic tool that could improve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) early diagnosis and screening protocols. Our study aimed to investigate the utility of plasma exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92-3p for HCC diagnosis during screening protocols. Methods The study group included 106 subjects: 48 patients diagnosed with HCC during screening, who underwent a potentially curative treatment (surgical resection or liver transplantation), 38 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) on the waiting list for liver transplantation, and 20 healthy volunteers. The exosomes were isolated by precipitation with a reagent based on polyethylene glycol and were characterized based on morphological aspects (i.e., diameter); molecular weight; CD63, CD9, and CD81 protein markers; and exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p expression levels. Results We first demonstrate that the exosome population isolated with the commercially available Total Exosome Isolation kit respects the same size ranging, morphological, and protein expression aspects compared to the traditional ultracentrifugation technique. The analysis of the expression profile indicates that miR-21-5p was upregulated (p = 0.017), and miR-92a-3p was downregulated (p = 0.0005) in plasma-derived exosomes from HCC subjects, independently from the patient's characteristics. AUROC for HCC diagnosis based on AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) was 0.72. By integrating AFP and the relative expression of exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p in a logistic regression equation for HCC diagnosis, the combined AUROC of the new exosomal miR HCC score was 0.85-significantly better than serum AFP alone (p = 0.0007). Conclusion Together with serum AFP, plasma exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p could be used as potential biomarkers for HCC diagnosis in patients with LC subjected to screening and surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Sorop
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan Iacob
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Speranta Iacob
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Diana Constantinescu
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Leona Chitoiu
- Ultrastructural Pathology Laboratory, Victor Babeş National Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Tudor Emanuel Fertig
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,Ultrastructural Pathology Laboratory, Victor Babeş National Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Mihaela Chivu-Economescu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nicolae Bacalbasa
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lorand Savu
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,"Titu Maiorescu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Liliana Gheorghe
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Dima
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irinel Popescu
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.,"Titu Maiorescu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu A, Wu Q, Peng D, Ares I, Anadón A, Lopez-Torres B, Martínez-Larrañaga MR, Wang X, Martínez MA. A novel strategy for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma: DNA methylation. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1973-2018. [PMID: 32525219 DOI: 10.1002/med.21696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cancer mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second highest in the world and the therapeutic options are limited. The incidence of this deadly cancer is rising at an alarming rate because of the high degree of resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy, lack of proper, and adequate vaccination to hepatitis B, and lack of consciousness and knowledge about the disease itself and the lifestyle of the people. DNA methylation and DNA methylation-induced epigenetic alterations, due to their potential reversibility, open the access to develop novel biomarkers and therapeutics for HCC. The contribution to these epigenetic changes in HCC development still has not been thoroughly summarized. Thus, it is necessary to better understand the new molecular targets of HCC epigenetics in HCC diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. This review elaborates on recent key findings regarding molecular biomarkers for HCC early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Currently emerging epigenetic drugs for the treatment of HCC are summarized. In addition, combining epigenetic drugs with nonepigenetic drugs for HCC treatment is also mentioned. The molecular mechanisms of DNA methylation-mediated HCC resistance are reviewed, providing some insights into the difficulty of treating liver cancer and anticancer drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aimei Liu
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), Wuhan, China
| | - Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Dapeng Peng
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), Wuhan, China
| | - Irma Ares
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Arturo Anadón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernardo Lopez-Torres
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Rosa Martínez-Larrañaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Xu Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), Wuhan, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Aránzazu Martínez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang S, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Wang Z, Xiao Q, Zhang Y, Lou Y, Qiu Y, Zhu F. The mechanistic, diagnostic and therapeutic novel nucleic acids for hepatocellular carcinoma emerging in past score years. Brief Bioinform 2020; 22:1860-1883. [PMID: 32249290 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite The Central Dogma states the destiny of gene as 'DNA makes RNA and RNA makes protein', the nucleic acids not only store and transmit genetic information but also, surprisingly, join in intracellular vital movement as a regulator of gene expression. Bioinformatics has contributed to knowledge for a series of emerging novel nucleic acids molecules. For typical cases, microRNA (miRNA), long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) exert crucial role in regulating vital biological processes, especially in malignant diseases. Due to extraordinarily heterogeneity among all malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has emerged enormous limitation in diagnosis and therapy. Mechanistic, diagnostic and therapeutic nucleic acids for HCC emerging in past score years have been systematically reviewed. Particularly, we have organized recent advances on nucleic acids of HCC into three facets: (i) summarizing diverse nucleic acids and their modification (miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, circulating tumor DNA and DNA methylation) acting as potential biomarkers in HCC diagnosis; (ii) concluding different patterns of three key noncoding RNAs (miRNA, lncRNA and circRNA) in gene regulation and (iii) outlining the progress of these novel nucleic acids for HCC diagnosis and therapy in clinical trials, and discuss their possibility for clinical applications. All in all, this review takes a detailed look at the advances of novel nucleic acids from potential of biomarkers and elaboration of mechanism to early clinical application in past 20 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital in Zhejiang University, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Zhejiang University, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital in Zhejiang University, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- School of Life Sciences in Nanchang University, China
| | - Zhengwen Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Zhejiang University, China
| | - Qitao Xiao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Zhejiang University, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Zhejiang University, China
| | - Yan Lou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital in Zhejiang University, China
| | - Yunqing Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital in Zhejiang University, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital in Zhejiang University, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Zhejiang University, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang JW, Qian Y, Wu CS, Zhao NH, Fang Y, Yuan XD, Gao S, Fan YC, Wang K. Combined use of murine double minute-2 promoter methylation and serum AFP improves diagnostic efficiency in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:3190-3199. [PMID: 33173438 PMCID: PMC7646102 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.47003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 85% of all cases of liver cancer. In China, chronic hepatitis B virus-related HCC (HBV-related HCC) is the most common type of HCC. However, the majority of HBV-related HCC patients are asymptomatic, and the best opportunities for treating these patients are missed. The precise diagnosis of HBV-related HCC is crucial. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of murine double minute-2 (MDM2) promoter methylation in HBV-related HCC patients. Methods: The methylation status of the MDM2 promoter was detected by methylation-specific PCR. The MDM2 expression levels were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma. Results: The methylation frequency of the MDM2 promoter was decreased in HBV-related HCC patients. The MDM2 mRNA levels of patients with HBV-related HCC were higher than those of patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. The plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in HBV-related HCC patients than that in liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B patients. The TNF-α levels were higher in the unmethylated MDM2 promoter group than in the methylated MDM2 promoter group in HBV-related HCC patients. Moreover, the combination of MDM2 promoter methylation and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) improved the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC. Conclusions: Our study indicates, for the first time, that MDM2 promoter hypomethylation is present in HBV-related HCC patients. The combination of MDM2 promoter methylation and AFP can greatly improve diagnostic efficiency in HBV-related HCC, which might provide a new method for HBV-related HCC diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wen Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Chen-Si Wu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ning-Hui Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Yuan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cozma A, Fodor A, Vulturar R, Sitar-Tăut AV, Orăşan OH, Mureşan F, Login C, Suharoschi R. DNA Methylation and Micro-RNAs: The Most Recent and Relevant Biomarkers in the Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55090607. [PMID: 31546948 PMCID: PMC6780418 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55090607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequently encountered cancer type, and its alarming incidence is explained by genetic and epigenetic alterations. Epigenetic changes may represent diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of HCC. In this review we discussed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hypomethylation, DNA hypermethylation, and aberrant expression of small non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA), which could be useful new biomarkers in the early diagnosis of HCC. We selected the articles on human subjects published in English over the past two years involving diagnostic markers detected in body fluids, cancer diagnosis made on histopathological exam, and a control group of those with benign liver disease or without liver disease. These biomarkers need further investigation in clinical trials to develop clinical applications for early diagnosis and management of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Cozma
- Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Adriana Fodor
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Romana Vulturar
- Department of Cell Biology, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Adela-Viviana Sitar-Tăut
- Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Olga Hilda Orăşan
- Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Flaviu Mureşan
- Department of Surgery, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Cezar Login
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Ramona Suharoschi
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang H, Zhuo C, Zhou D, Zhang F, Chen M, Xu S, Chen Z. Association between the expression of carbonic anhydrase II and clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2019; 17:5721-5728. [PMID: 31186798 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the molecular marker associated with the therapy and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and further investigate the association between its expression and the clinicopathological features of HCC. To select the core genes closely associated with HCC, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed and screened from Gene Expression Omnibus datasets (GSE 36376) using a bioinformatics approach. Tumor and adjacent tissues were collected form 112 patients of HCC who were treated by radical resection. The expression levels of carbonic anhydrase II (CA2) in the tumor and adjacent tissues were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemistry. The χ2 test was applied for observing the association between the expression of CA2 and clinicopathological features of patients with HCC. The effects of the expression of CA2 on the patients' overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were examined via Kaplan-Meier analysis. A total of 83 DEGs were screened and analyzed using gene network analysis, among which CA2 had direct interactions with more than one disease gene of HCC. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that CA2 was expressed at a lower level in the tumor tissues compared with the adjacent tissues (t=3.012, P=0.010). Single factor analysis revealed that the mRNA expression of CA2 was able to predict the recurrence of HCC, and was significantly associated with α-fetoprotein (AFP), microvascular invasion, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging, and recurrence (P<0.05). The expression levels of AFP, CA2 and TNM staging were confirmed to be independent prognostic factors of HCC (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the group with a high expression of CA2 showed increased DFS and OS, compared with the low expression group (P<0.05). These findings indicated that elevated CA2 increased DFS and OS of HCC, which suggested that CA2 may be a potential target for HCC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Changhua Zhuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Minyong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Shaohua Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoshuo Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Oncology, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang Y, Zhang C, Zhang P, Guo G, Jiang T, Zhao X, Jiang J, Huang X, Tong H, Tian Y. Serum exosomal microRNAs combined with alpha-fetoprotein as diagnostic markers of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Med 2018; 7:1670-1679. [PMID: 29573235 PMCID: PMC5943469 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomal microRNAs have recently been studied as the potential diagnostic marker for various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate serum exosomal microRNA profiles as HCC diagnostic marker. Transmission electron microscopy and Western blot were used to identify serum exosomes. Deep sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed microRNAs between HCC (n = 5) and liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 5) groups. Three upregulated and two downregulated microRNAs were selected for qPCR analysis. The levels of selected microRNAs were normalized to Caenorhabditis elegans miR-39 microRNA mimics. Serum exosomal level of miR-122, miR-148a, and miR-1246 was further analyzed and significantly higher in HCC than LC and normal control (NC) groups (P < 0.001), but not different from chronic hepatitis group (P > 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of candidate microRNAs. Area under the curve (AUC) of miR-148a was 0.891 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.809-0.947] in discriminating HCC from LC, remarkably higher than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (AUC: 0.712, 95% CI: 0.607-0.803). Binary logistic regression was adopted to establish the diagnostic model for discriminating HCC from LC. And the combination of miR-122, miR-148a, and AFP increased the AUC to 0.931 (95% CI, 0.857-0.973), which can also be applied for distinguishing early HCC from LC. miR-122 was the best for differentiating HCC from NC (AUC: 0.990, 95% CI, 0.945-1.000). These data suggest that serum exosomal microRNAs signature or their combination with traditional biomarker may be used as a suitable peripheral screening tool for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Wang
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.,School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Pengjun Zhang
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Guanghong Guo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiumei Zhao
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jingjing Jiang
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xueliang Huang
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Hongli Tong
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yaping Tian
- Core Laboratory of Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu-Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.,School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| |
Collapse
|