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Peruhova M, Banova-Chakarova S, Miteva DG, Velikova T. Genetic screening of liver cancer: State of the art. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:716-730. [PMID: 38818292 PMCID: PMC11135278 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i5.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma, remains a global health challenge with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options. Genetic factors play a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver cancer. This state-of-the-art paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of genetic screening strategies for liver cancer. We discuss the genetic underpinnings of liver cancer, emphasizing the critical role of risk-associated genetic variants, somatic mutations, and epigenetic alterations. We also explore the intricate interplay between environmental factors and genetics, highlighting how genetic screening can aid in risk stratification and early detection via using liquid biopsy, and advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies. By synthesizing the latest research findings, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art genetic screening methods for liver cancer, shedding light on their potential to revolutionize early detection, risk assessment, and targeted therapies in the fight against this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Peruhova
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Heart and Brain", Burgas 8000, Bulgaria
| | - Sonya Banova-Chakarova
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Heart and Brain", Burgas 8000, Bulgaria.
| | - Dimitrina Georgieva Miteva
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University" St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1164, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetelina Velikova
- Medical Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria
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Rashid S, Sun Y, Ali Khan Saddozai U, Hayyat S, Munir MU, Akbar MU, Khawar MB, Ren Z, Ji X, Ihsan Ullah Khan M. Circulating tumor DNA and its role in detection, prognosis and therapeutics of hepatocellular carcinoma. Chin J Cancer Res 2024; 36:195-214. [PMID: 38751441 PMCID: PMC11090798 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2024.02.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered the fifth most prevalent cancer among all types of cancers and has the third most morbidity value. It has the most frequent duplication time and a high recurrence rate. Recently, the most unique technique used is liquid biopsies, which carry many markers; the most prominent is circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Varied methods are used to investigate ctDNA, including various forms of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [emulsion PCR (ePCR), digital PCR (dPCR), and bead, emulsion, amplification, magnetic (BEAMing) PCR]. Hence ctDNA is being recognized as a potential biomarker that permits early cancer detection, treatment monitoring, and predictive data on tumor burden are subjective to therapy or surgery. Numerous ctDNA biomarkers have been investigated based on their alterations such as 1) single nucleotide variations (either insertion or deletion of a nucleotide) markers including TP53, KRAS, and CCND1; 2) copy number variations which include markers such as CDK6, EFGR, MYC and BRAF; 3) DNA methylation (RASSF1A, SEPT9, KMT2C and CCNA2); 4) homozygous mutation includes ctDNA markers as CDKN2A, AXIN1; and 5) gain or loss of function of the genes, particularly for HCC. Various researchers have conducted many studies and gotten fruitful results. Still, there are some drawbacks to ctDNA namely low quantity, fragment heterogeneity, less stability, limited mutant copies and standards, and differential sensitivity. However, plenty of investigations demonstrate ctDNA's significance as a polyvalent biomarker for cancer and can be viewed as a future diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic agent. This article overviews many conditions in genetic changes linked to the onset and development of HCC, such as dysregulated signaling pathways, somatic mutations, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and genomic instability. Additionally, efforts are also made to develop treatments for HCC that are molecularly targeted and to unravel some of the genetic pathways that facilitate its early identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Rashid
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
| | - Yingchuan Sun
- Department of Internal Oncology (Section I), Xuchang Municipal Central Hospital, Xuchang 461000, China
| | - Umair Ali Khan Saddozai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Sikandar Hayyat
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Usman Munir
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Muhammad Usman Akbar
- Gomal Center of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
- Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal Punjab 51600, Pakistan
| | - Zhiguang Ren
- Kaifeng Municipal Key Laboratory for Infection and Biosafety, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Xinying Ji
- Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou 450064, China
- Department of Medicine, Huaxian County People’s Hospital, Huaxian 456400, China
| | - Malik Ihsan Ullah Khan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
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Manea I, Iacob R, Iacob S, Cerban R, Dima S, Oniscu G, Popescu I, Gheorghe L. Liquid biopsy for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1218705. [PMID: 37809326 PMCID: PMC10556479 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1218705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent and lethal cancer globally. Over 90% of HCC cases arise in the context of liver cirrhosis, and the severity of the underlying liver disease or advanced tumor stage at diagnosis significantly limits treatment options. Early diagnosis is crucial, and all guidelines stress the importance of screening protocols for HCC early detection as a public health objective. As serum biomarkers are not optimal for early diagnosis, liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising tool for diagnosis, prognostication, and patients' stratification for personalized therapy in various solid tumors, including HCC. While circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are better suited for personalized therapy and prognosis, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and extracellular vesicle-based technologies show potential for early diagnosis, HCC screening, and surveillance protocols. Evaluating the added value of liquid biopsy genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for HCC screening is a key goal in translational research. Somatic mutations commonly found in HCC can be investigated in cfDNA and plasma exosomes as genetic biomarkers. Unique methylation patterns in cfDNA or cfDNA fragmentome features have been suggested as innovative tools for early HCC detection. Likewise, extracellular vesicle cargo biomarkers such as miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for early HCC detection. This review will explore recent findings on the utility of liquid biopsy for early HCC diagnosis. Combining liquid biopsy methods with traditional serological biomarkers could improve the overall diagnostic accuracy for early HCC detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Manea
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan Iacob
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Speranta Iacob
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan Cerban
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Dima
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gabriel Oniscu
- Transplant Division, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irinel Popescu
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Liliana Gheorghe
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
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Yang T, Wang N, Wang F, Liu H, Shen F, Lv G. Refinement and validation of a comprehensive clinical diagnostic model (GAMAD) based on gender, age, multitarget circulating tumour DNA methylation signature and commonly used serological biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicentre, prospective observational study protocol. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e076467. [PMID: 37723113 PMCID: PMC10510880 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prompt detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver diseases is critical for enhancing prognosis. Existing imaging techniques and serum markers fall short of clinical needs. This study aims to establish a non-invasive diagnostic model for early HCC detection in the Chinese population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This prospective, multicentre, observational study will enrol 2000 participants, including HCC patients, those with chronic liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis and benign liver space-occupying lesions), and healthy individuals. The study will collect demographic data and blood samples, which will be used to test α-fetoprotein (AFP), des-γ-carboxy-prothrombin (DCP) and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) methylation. The GAMAD (Gender+Age+Methylation+AFP+DCP) model involving gender, age, ctDNA methylation signature, AFP and DCP will be developed and blindly validated in training and validation sets (1400 and 600 cases, respectively). Primary endpoints include sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (receiver operating characteristic curves; area under the curve value) of GAMAD for HCC and/or high-risk HCC groups. Secondary endpoints involve comparing GAMAD with the established GALAD (Gender+Age+AFP-L3+AFP+DCP) model and each blood index (AFP, DCP and methylation signature) to evaluate: (1) GAMAD's clinical utility for HCC patients in all stages according to different staging systems; (2) GAMAD's discrimination ability for patients in various subgroups, including liver cirrhosis (LC) related HCC and LC, hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC and HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) related HCC and HCV, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) related HCC and NAFLD. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This trial has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committees of the First Hospital of Jilin University (#22K073-001), the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (#EHBHKY2023-H0003-P001) and Tianjin Third Central Hospital (#IRB2023-007-01). All participants in the trial will provide written informed consent. Results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals and at conferences nationally and internationally. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05626985.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nanya Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fengmei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongmei Liu
- Department of Medical Affairs, Singlera Genomics (Shanghai) Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Shen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoyue Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Lu CY, Hsiao CY, Peng PJ, Huang SC, Chuang MR, Su HJ, Huang KW. DNA Methylation Biomarkers as Prediction Tools for Therapeutic Response and Prognosis in Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4465. [PMID: 37760434 PMCID: PMC10527266 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP), as the main serum tumor marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is limited in terms of specificity and ability to predict outcomes. This study investigated the clinical utility of DNA methylation biomarkers to predict therapeutic responses and prognosis in intermediate-stage HCC. METHODS This study enrolled 72 patients with intermediate-stage HCC who underwent locoregional therapy (LRT) between 2020 and 2021. The immediate therapeutic response and disease status during a two-year follow-up were recorded. Analysis was performed on 10 selected DNA methylation biomarkers via pyrosequencing analysis of plasma collected before and after LRT. RESULTS Analysis was performed on 53 patients with complete responses and 19 patients with disease progression after LRT. The mean follow-up duration was 2.4 ± 0.6 years. A methylation prediction model for tumor response (MMTR) and a methylation prediction model for early progression (MMEP) were constructed. The area under the curve (AUC) for sensitivity and specificity of MMTR was 0.79 for complete response and 0.759 for overall survival. The corresponding AUCs for sensitivity and specificity of AFP and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) were 0.717 and 0.708, respectively. Note that the MMTR index was the only significant predictor in multivariate analysis. The AUC for sensitivity and specificity of the MMEP in predicting early progression was 0.79. The corresponding AUCs for sensitivity and specificity of AFP and PIVKA-II were 0.758 and 0.714, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that platelet count, beyond up-to-7 criteria, and the MMEP index were strongly correlated with early tumor progression. Combining the indexes and serum markers further improved the predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.922). Multivariate analysis revealed the MMEP index was the only independent risk factor for overall survival. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that these methylation markers could potentially outperform current serum markers in terms of accuracy and reliability in assessing treatment response and predicting outcomes. Combining methylation markers and serum markers further improved predictive accuracy, indicating that a multi-marker approach may be more effective in clinical practice. These findings suggest that DNA methylation biomarkers may be a useful tool for managing intermediate-stage HCC patients and guiding personalized treatment, particularly for those who are at high risk for close surveillance or adjuvant treatment after LRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Yi Lu
- Phalanx Biotech Group, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-C.H.); (H.-J.S.)
| | - Chih-Yang Hsiao
- Department of Surgery and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Department of Traumatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Pey-Jey Peng
- Phalanx Biotech Group, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-C.H.); (H.-J.S.)
| | - Shao-Chang Huang
- Phalanx Biotech Group, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-C.H.); (H.-J.S.)
| | - Meng-Rong Chuang
- Phalanx Biotech Group, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-C.H.); (H.-J.S.)
| | - Hung-Ju Su
- Phalanx Biotech Group, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-C.H.); (H.-J.S.)
| | - Kai-Wen Huang
- Department of Surgery and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Center for Functional Image and Interventional Therapy, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
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Wang Z, Qin H, Liu S, Sheng J, Zhang X. Precision diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:1155-1165. [PMID: 36939276 PMCID: PMC10278703 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). Early diagnosis of HCC remains the key to improve the prognosis. In recent years, with the promotion of the concept of precision medicine and more in-depth analysis of the biological mechanism underlying HCC, new diagnostic methods, including emerging serum markers, liquid biopsies, molecular diagnosis, and advances in imaging (novel contrast agents and radiomics), have emerged one after another. Herein, we reviewed and analyzed scientific advances in the early diagnosis of HCC and discussed their application and shortcomings. This review aimed to provide a reference for scientific research and clinical practice of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxiao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Hanjiao Qin
- Department of Radiotherapy, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Shui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Jiyao Sheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Xuewen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
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Jahromi FNA, Dowran R, Jafari R. Recent advances in the roles of exosomal microRNAs (exomiRs) in hematologic neoplasms: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:88. [PMID: 37127640 PMCID: PMC10152632 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01102-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In clinical diagnosis, the capability of exosomes to serve as biomarkers is one of the most important biological functions of exosomes. The superior stability of exosome biomarkers makes them superior to those isolated from traditional samples such as serum and urine. Almost all body fluids contain exosomes, which contain proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Several molecular components of exosomes, including exosome proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs), are promising diagnostic biomarkers. These exosomes may carry genetic information by containing messenger RNA (mRNA) and miRNA. The miRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate protein-coding genes by acting as translational repressors. It has been shown that miRNAs are mis-expressed in a range of conditions, including hematologic neoplasms. Additionally, miRNAs found within exosomes have been linked with specific diseases, including hematologic neoplasms. Numerous studies suggest that circulating exosomes contain miRNAs similar to those found in parental cancer cells. Exosomes contain miRNAs that are released by almost all kinds of cells. MiRNAs are packaged into exosomes and delivered to recipient cells, and manipulate its function. It has been recognized that exosomes are new therapeutic targets for immunotherapy and biomedicine of cancers. The current review discusses the current evidence around exosomal miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of hematologic neoplasms. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faride Nam Avar Jahromi
- Department of Hematology, School of Paramedical, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Razieh Dowran
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, P.O. BoX: 1138, Shafa St., Ershad Blvd., 57147, Urmia, Iran.
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Cao M, Shi J, Xia C, Li H, Cai W, Qi X, Dai C, Chen W. Efficacy of ctDNA methylation combined with traditional detection modality to detect liver cancer among high-risk patients: A multicenter diagnostic trial. Chin J Cancer Res 2023; 35:58-65. [PMID: 36910858 PMCID: PMC9993000 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2023.01.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) plus ultrasound (US) have been considered to have high diagnostic accuracy for cancer detection, however, the efficacy of ctDNA methylation combined with the traditional detection modality of liver cancer has not been tested in a Chinese independent cohort. Methods The high-risk individuals aged between 35 and 70 years who were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or had moderate and severe fatty liver were eligible for inclusion. All participants were invited to receive a traditional examination [referring to AFP plus US], and ctDNA methylation, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of different diagnostic tools were calculated. The logistic regression model was applied to estimate the area under the curve (AUC), which was further validated by 10-fold internal cross-validation. Results A total of 1,205 individuals were recruited in our study, and 39 participants were diagnosed with liver cancer. The sensitivity of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of US, AFP, and ctDNA methylation was 33.33%, 56.41%, 66.67%, and 87.18%, respectively. The corresponding specificity of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of all modalities was 98.20%, 99.31%, 97.68%, and 97.68%, respectively. The AUCs of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of AFP, US, and ctDNA methylation were 65.77%, 77.86%, 82.18%, and 92.43%, respectively. The internally validated AUCs of AFP, US, US plus AFP, and the combination of AFP, US, and ctDNA methylation were 67.57%, 83.26%, 86.54%, and 93.35%, respectively. Conclusions The ctDNA methylation is a good complementary to AFP and US for the detection of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maomao Cao
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jufang Shi
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Changfa Xia
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - He Li
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Prevention and Control of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases, Binhai County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Binhai 224521, China
| | - Xianyun Qi
- Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention and Treatment Department, Yingdong District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuyang 236142, China
| | - Chunyun Dai
- Department for Chronic Non-communicable Diseases Control, Sheyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Sheyang 224300, China
| | - Wanqing Chen
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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Youssef SS, El-Araby RE, Abbas EAER, Hassany M, Elbaz T. Prognostic and survival impact of BCL9 and RPS6KB1 copy number variation detected from circulating free DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:267-278. [PMID: 36803362 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2182191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a noninvasive substitute to liver biopsy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) molecular profiling. This study aimed to use cfDNA to investigate copy number variation (CNV) in the BCL9 and RPS6KB1 genes and its impact on prognosis in HCC. METHODS Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to determine the CNV and cfDNA integrity index in 100 HCC patients. RESULTS CNV gain in BCL9 and RPS6KB1 genes was detected in 14% and 24% of patients, respectively. Gain in CNV of BCL9 associated with risk of HCC in alcohol drinkers and hepatitis C seropositivity. In patients with RPS6KB1 gain, HCC risk increased with a high body mass index, smoking, schistosomiasis, and Barcelona clinical liver cancer stage (BCLC) A. Gain in both genes showed a high risk of HCC with elevated liver enzymes, Schistosomiasis, BCLC C, and PS > 1. The integrity of cfDNA was higher in patients with CNV gain in RPS6KB1 than those harboring CNV gain in BCL9. Lastly, BCL9 gain and BCL9 + RPS6KB1 gain led to higher mortality rates and reduced survival times. CONCLUSION cfDNA was used to detect BCL9 and RPS6KB1 CNVs, which influence prognosis and can be used as independent predictors of HCC patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rady Eid El-Araby
- Division of Oral Biology, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Central Lab, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Ministry of Scientific Research, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed Hassany
- Tropical Medicine Department, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tamer Elbaz
- Department of Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Pathology of Combined Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Cholangiocarcinoma: An Update. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020494. [PMID: 36672443 PMCID: PMC9856551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare primary liver cancer that is composed of both hepatocellular and cholangiocellular differentiated cells. It is slightly more common in men and among Asian and Pacific islanders. Overall, risk factors are similar to classic risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The classification has significantly evolved over time. The last WHO classification (2019) mainly emphasized diagnosis on morphological basis with routine stainings, discarded previously recognized classifications with carcinomas with stem cell features, introduced intermediate cell carcinoma as a specific subtype and considered cholangiolocarcinoma as a subtype of cholangiocellular carcinoma. Immunohistochemical markers may be applied for further specification but have limited value for diagnosis. Recent discoveries in molecular pathway regulation may pioneer new therapeutic approaches for this poor prognostic and challenging diagnosis.
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Lu AKM, Hsieh S, Yang CT, Wang XY, Lin SH. DNA methylation signature of psychological resilience in young adults: Constructing a methylation risk score using a machine learning method. Front Genet 2023; 13:1046700. [PMID: 36712885 PMCID: PMC9877348 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1046700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Resilience is a process associated with the ability to recover from stress and adversity. We aimed to explore the resilience-associated DNA methylation signatures and evaluate the abilities of methylation risk scores to discriminate low resilience (LR) individuals. The study recruited 78 young adults and used Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) to divide them into low and high resilience groups. We randomly allocated all participants of two groups to the discovery and validation sets. We used the blood DNA of the subjects to conduct a genome-wide methylation scan and identify the significant methylation differences of CpG Sites in the discovery set. Moreover, the classification accuracy of the DNA methylation probes was confirmed in the validation set by real-time quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. In the genome-wide methylation profiling between LR and HR individuals, seventeen significantly differentially methylated probes were detected. In the validation set, nine DNA methylation signatures within gene coding regions were selected for verification. Finally, three methylation probes [cg18565204 (AARS), cg17682313 (FBXW7), and cg07167608 (LINC01107)] were included in the final model of the methylation risk score for LR versus HR. These methylation risk score models of low resilience demonstrated satisfactory discrimination by logistic regression and support vector machine, with an AUC of 0.81 and 0.93, accuracy of 72.3% and 87.1%, sensitivity of 75%, and 87.5%, and specificity of 70% and 80%. Our findings suggest that methylation signatures can be utilized to identify individuals with LR and establish risk score models that may contribute to the field of psychology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ke-Ming Lu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shulan Hsieh
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain, and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Xin-Yu Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hsiang Lin
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan,Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan,Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan,*Correspondence: Sheng-Hsiang Lin,
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12
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Zhou Z, Xu X, Liu Y, Liu Q, Zhang W, Wang K, Wang J, Yin Y. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2695:213-225. [PMID: 37450121 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3346-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most deadly neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Due to the significant tumor heterogeneity of HCC, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or liver biopsy has not yet met the clinical needs in terms of early diagnosis or determining prognosis. In recent years, liquid biopsy techniques that analyze tumor by-products released into the circulation have shown great potential. Its ability to monitor tumors in real time and respond to their global characteristics is expected to improve the management of HCC patients clinically. This review discusses some of the findings of a liquid biopsy in terms of diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyu Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoliang Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiaoyu Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yin Yin
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Lu AKM, Lin JJ, Tseng HH, Wang XY, Jang FL, Chen PS, Huang CC, Hsieh S, Lin SH. DNA methylation signature aberration as potential biomarkers in treatment-resistant schizophrenia: Constructing a methylation risk score using a machine learning method. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 157:57-65. [PMID: 36442407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is defined as a non-response to at least two trials of antipsychotic medication with an adequate dose and duration. We aimed to evaluate the discriminant abilities of DNA methylation probes and methylation risk score between treatment-resistant schizophrenia and non-treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This study recruited 96 schizophrenia patients (TRS and non-TRS) and 56 healthy controls (HC). Participants were divided into a discovery set and a validation set. In the discovery set, we conducted genome-wide methylation analysis (human MethylationEPIC 850K BeadChip) on the subject's blood DNA and discriminated significant methylation signatures, then verified these methylation signatures in the validation set. Based on genome-wide scans of TRS versus non-TRS, thirteen differentially methylated probes were identified at FDR <0.05 and >20% differences in DNA methylation β-values. Next, we selected six probes within gene coding regions (LOC404266, LOXL2, CERK, CHMP7, and SLC17A9) to conduct verification in the validation set using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP). These six methylation probes showed satisfactory discrimination between TRS patients and non-TRS patients, with an AUC ranging from 0.83 to 0.92, accuracy ranging from 77.8% to 87.3%, sensitivity ranging from 80% to 90%, and specificity ranging from 65.6% to 85%. This methylation risk score model showed satisfactory discrimination between TRS patients and non-TRS patients, with an accuracy of 88.3%. These findings support that methylation signatures may be used as an indicator of TRS vulnerability and provide a model for the clinical use of methylation to identify TRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ke-Ming Lu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Jia Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Huai-Hsuan Tseng
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Xin-Yu Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Fong-Lin Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po-See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chun Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Shulan Hsieh
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hsiang Lin
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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14
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Contributions and therapeutic potential of tumor-derived microRNAs containing exosomes to cancer progression. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Li CC, Yang HY, Mao YL. Research progress and prospects of circulating tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 21:514-515. [PMID: 35853804 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Can Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Beijing 100730, China
| | - Hua-Yu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yi-Lei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Beijing 100730, China.
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Schlosser S, Tümen D, Volz B, Neumeyer K, Egler N, Kunst C, Tews HC, Schmid S, Kandulski A, Müller M, Gülow K. HCC biomarkers - state of the old and outlook to future promising biomarkers and their potential in everyday clinical practice. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1016952. [PMID: 36518320 PMCID: PMC9742592 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1016952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and deadly tumors worldwide. Management of HCC depends on reliable biomarkers for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of the disease, as well as predicting response towards therapy and safety. To date, imaging has been the established standard technique in the diagnosis and follow-up of HCC. However, imaging techniques have their limitations, especially in the early detection of HCC. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reliable, non/minimal invasive biomarkers. To date, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the only serum biomarker used in clinical practice for the management of HCC. However, AFP is of relatively rather low quality in terms of specificity and sensitivity. Liquid biopsies as a source for biomarkers have become the focus of clinical research. Our review highlights alternative biomarkers derived from liquid biopsies, including circulating tumor cells, proteins, circulating nucleic acids, and exosomes, and their potential for clinical application. Using defined combinations of different biomarkers will open new perspectives for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karsten Gülow
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Ding J, Zhao W. The Application of Liquid Biopsy Techniques in High-Risk Population for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2022; 14:2735-2748. [PMID: 36133739 PMCID: PMC9484767 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s373165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system and has a 5-year overall survival rate of 14.1%. Many HCC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and thus early screening is essential for reducing the mortality of HCC. In addition to commonly used detection indicators such as serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) and abnormal prothrombin (protein induced by vitamin K absence II, PIVKA-II), liquid biopsy techniques have been demonstrated to have diagnostic value in HCC detection. Compared with invasive procedures, liquid biopsy can detect circulatory metabolites of malignant neoplasms. Liquid biopsy techniques can detect circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, circulating RNA and exosomes and have been used in the early screening, diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of HCC. This paper reviews the molecular biological characteristics and application of different liquid biopsy techniques, and aim to highlight promising biomarkers that may be feasible options for early-stage HCC evaluation to improve early screening in populations at high risk for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingnuo Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, JiangSu Province, 215000, People's Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, JiangSu Province, 215000, People's Republic of China
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Higuera M, Vargas-Accarino E, Torrens M, Gregori J, Salcedo MT, Martínez-Campreciós J, Torres G, Bermúdez-Ramos M, Bilbao I, Guerrero-Murillo M, Serres-Créixams X, Merino X, Rodríguez-Frías F, Quer J, Mínguez B. Ultra Deep Sequencing of Circulating Cell-Free DNA as a Potential Tool for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Management. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163875. [PMID: 36010868 PMCID: PMC9406074 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this unicentric prospective study, we analyzed the most prevalent mutations in HCC (TERT promoter, TP53, CTNNB1, AXIN1 and ARID1A) in plasma cfDNA by next-generation sequencing, aiming to elucidate their value as prognostic noninvasive biomarkers. Total cfDNA (cut-off value 2 ng/µL), number of mutated genes and number of detectable mutations on cfDNA were significantly related to mortality. Number of mutated genes and number of detected mutations in cfDNA and the ratio between number of mutations and total amount of cfDNA were also significantly associated with recurrence. Detection of more than four mutations in cfDNA correlated with a higher risk of death. Dynamic changes in cfDNA mutations were detected prior to radiological detection of HCC recurrence. We believe that these results support the proof of principle and launching of validation studies to confirm that total cfDNA and detection of prevalent HCC mutations could have prognostic implications in early-stage HCC patients. Abstract Background: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentrations have been described to be inversely correlated with prognosis in cancer. Mutations in HCC-associated driver genes in cfDNA have been reported, but their relation with patient’s outcome has not been described. Our aim was to elucidate whether mutations found in cfDNA could be representative from those present in HCC tissue, providing the rationale to use the cfDNA to monitor HCC. Methods: Tumoral tissue, paired nontumor adjacent tissue and blood samples were collected from 30 HCC patients undergoing curative therapies. Deep sequencing targeting HCC driver genes was performed. Results: Patients with more than 2 ng/µL of cfDNA at diagnosis had higher mortality (mean OS 24.6 vs. 31.87 months, p = 0.01) (AUC = 0.782). Subjects who died during follow-up, had a significantly higher number of mutated genes (p = 0.015) and number of mutations (p = 0.015) on cfDNA. Number of mutated genes (p = 0.001), detected mutations (p = 0.001) in cfDNA and ratio (number of mutations/cfDNA) (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with recurrence. However, patients with a ratio (number of mutations/cfDNA) above 6 (long-rank p = 0.0003) presented a higher risk of recurrence than those with a ratio under 6. Detection of more than four mutations in cfDNA correlated with higher risk of death (long-rank p = 0.042). Conclusions: In summary, cfDNA and detection of prevalent HCC mutations could have prognostic implications in early-stage HCC patients
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Higuera
- Liver Cancer Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Vargas-Accarino
- Liver Cancer Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - María Torrens
- Liver Cancer Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Gregori
- Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Salcedo
- Department of Medicine, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Martínez-Campreciós
- Liver Cancer Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Gloria Torres
- Liver Cancer Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Bermúdez-Ramos
- Liver Cancer Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Itxarone Bilbao
- Department of Medicine, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Transplant Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercedes Guerrero-Murillo
- Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Serres-Créixams
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Merino
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-Frías
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Josep Quer
- Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Beatriz Mínguez
- Liver Cancer Research Group, Liver Diseases, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Campus de la UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-93-274-61-40 (ext. 6561)
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Temraz S, Nasr R, Mukherji D, Kreidieh F, Shamseddine A. Liquid Biopsy Derived Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor DNA as Novel Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:507-518. [PMID: 35758097 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2094706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is made at a relatively advanced stage resulting in poor prognosis. Alpha-fetoprotein and liver ultrasound have limited accuracy as biomarkers in HCC. Liver biopsy provides information on tumor biology; however, it is invasive and holds high threat of tumor seeding. Thus, more accurate and less invasive approaches are needed. AREAS COVERED Highly sensitive liquid biopsy assays have made possible the detection and analysis of cells or organelles such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and tumor-derived exosomes. Here, we focus on CTCs and ctDNA components of liquid biopsy and their clinical application as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers in HCC. Unlike tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy involves attaining a sample at several time frames in an easy and a non-invasive manner. They have been efficacious in detecting and classifying cancer, in predicting treatment response, in monitoring disease relapse and in identifying mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies. EXPERT OPINION Although interesting and highly promising, liquid biopsy techniques still have many obstacles to overcome before their wide spread clinical application sees the light. It is expected that these techniques will be incorporated into traditional methodologies for better diagnostic, predictive and prognostic results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Temraz
- Department of internal medicine, Hematology/Oncology division, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rihab Nasr
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Deborah Mukherji
- Department of internal medicine, Hematology/Oncology division, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kreidieh
- Department of internal medicine, Hematology/Oncology division, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Shamseddine
- Department of internal medicine, Hematology/Oncology division, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
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Yang JC, Hu JJ, Li YX, Luo W, Liu JZ, Ye DW. Clinical Applications of Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:781820. [PMID: 35211399 PMCID: PMC8860830 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.781820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high mortality and poor prognosis in the world. The low rate of early diagnosis, as well as the high risk of postoperative metastasis and recurrence, led to the poor clinical prognosis of HCC patients. Currently, it mainly depends on serum markers, imaging examination, and tissue biopsy to diagnose and determine the recurrence and metastasis of HCC after treatments. Nevertheless, the accuracy and sensitivity of serum markers and imaging for early HCC diagnosis are suboptimal. Tissue biopsy, containing limited tissue samples, is insufficient to reveal comprehensive tumor biology information and is inappropriate to monitor dynamic tumor progression due to its invasiveness. Thus, low invasive diagnostic methods and novel biomarkers with high sensitivity and reliability must be found to improve HCC detection and prediction. As a non-invasive, dynamic, and repeatable detection method, “liquid biopsy”, has attracted much attention to early diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response, which promotes the progress of precision medicine. This review summarizes the clinical applications of liquid biopsy in HCC, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and exosome in early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, disease monitoring, and guiding personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Cui Yang
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun-Jie Hu
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Xin Li
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin-Zhou Liu
- Department of Pain Management, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Da-Wei Ye
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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21
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Hao Y, Li X. Deacetylated-poly-N-acetylglucosamine-folic Acid as a Nanocarrier for Delivering miR-196a Inhibitor to Anticancer Activity. Balkan Med J 2022; 39:55-65. [PMID: 35330543 PMCID: PMC8941238 DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2021.2021-8-62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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22
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Luo D, Zhao D, Zhang M, Hu C, Li H, Zhang S, Chen X, Huttad L, Li B, Jin C, Lin C, Han B. Alternative Splicing-Based Differences Between Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Genes, Immune Microenvironment, and Survival Prognosis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:731993. [PMID: 34760694 PMCID: PMC8574058 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.731993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) event is a novel biomarker of tumor tumorigenesis and progression. However, the comprehensive analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is lacking. Differentially expressed analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed alternative splicing (DEAS) events between HCC or ICC tissues and their normal tissues. The correlation between DEAS events and functional analyses or immune features was evaluated. The cluster analysis based on DEAS can accurately reflect the differences in the immune microenvironment between HCC and ICC. Forty-five immune checkpoints and 23 immune features were considered statistically significant in HCC, while only seven immune checkpoints and one immune feature in ICC. Then, the prognostic value of DEAS events was studied, and two transcripts with different basic cell functions (proliferation, cell cycle, invasion, and migration) were produced by ADHFE1 through alternative splicing. Moreover, four nomograms were established in conjunction with relevant clinicopathological factors. Finally, we found two most significant splicing factors and further showed their protein crystal structure. The joint analysis of the AS events in HCC and ICC revealed novel insights into immune features and clinical prognosis, which might provide positive implications in HCC and ICC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingan Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Deze Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chuan Hu
- Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haoran Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaowu Chen
- Asian Liver Center, Department of Surgery, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Lakshmi Huttad
- Asian Liver Center, Department of Surgery, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Bailiang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Changwei Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Maravelia P, Silva DN, Rovesti G, Chrobok M, Stål P, Lu YC, Pasetto A. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Opportunities and Challenges for Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4334. [PMID: 34503144 PMCID: PMC8431414 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancer types worldwide. HCC is often diagnosed at a late stage when the therapeutic options are very limited. However, even at the earlier stages, the best treatment is liver transplantation, surgical resection or ablation. Surgical resection and ablation may carry a high risk of tumor recurrence. The recent introduction of immunotherapies resulted in clinical responses for a subgroup of patients, but there were still no effective predictive markers for response to immunotherapy or for recurrence after surgical therapy. The identification of biomarkers that could correlate and predict response or recurrence would require close monitoring of the patients throughout and after the completion of treatment. However, this would not be performed efficiently by repeated and invasive tissue biopsies. A better approach would be to use liquid biopsies including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating RNA (e.g., microRNAs), circulating tumor cells (CTC) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) (e.g., exosomes) for disease monitoring in a non-invasive manner. In this review, we discuss the currently available technology that can enable the use of liquid biopsy as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. Moreover, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of the clinical application of liquid biopsy for immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Maravelia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Daniela Nascimento Silva
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Giulia Rovesti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Michael Chrobok
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Per Stål
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine/Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Upper GI Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Yong-Chen Lu
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Anna Pasetto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
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Raos D, Ulamec M, Katusic Bojanac A, Bulic-Jakus F, Jezek D, Sincic N. Epigenetically inactivated RASSF1A as a tumor biomarker. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2021; 21:386-397. [PMID: 33175673 PMCID: PMC8292865 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2020.5219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RASSF1A, one of the eight isoforms of the RASSF1 gene, is a tumor suppressor gene that influences tumor initiation and development. In cancer, RASSF1A is frequently inactivated by mutations, loss of heterozygosity, and, most commonly, by promoter hypermethylation. Epigenetic inactivation of RASSF1A was detected in various cancer types and led to significant interest; current research on RASSF1A promoter methylation focuses on its roles as an epigenetic tumor biomarker. Typically, researchers analyzed genomic DNA (gDNA) to measure the amount of RASSF1A promoter methylation. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from liquid biopsies is a recent development showing promise as an early cancer diagnostic tool using biomarkers, such as RASSF1A. This review discusses the evidence on aberrantly methylated RASSF1A in gDNA and cfDNA from different cancer types and its utility for early cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and surveillance. We compared methylation frequencies of RASSF1A in gDNA and cfDNA in various cancer types. The weaknesses and strengths of these analyses are discussed. In conclusion, although the importance of RASSSF1A methylation to cancer has been established and is included in several diagnostic panels, its diagnostic utility is still experimental.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Raos
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Monika Ulamec
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Pathology, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine and School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Katusic Bojanac
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Floriana Bulic-Jakus
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Jezek
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sincic
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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25
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Tran NH, Kisiel J, Roberts LR. Using cell-free DNA for HCC surveillance and prognosis. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100304. [PMID: 34136776 PMCID: PMC8182265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer. Its incidence is rising faster than any other cancer in the United States and it remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While advances in massive parallel sequencing and integration of 'omics information have transformed the field of oncology, tissue access is often limited in HCC and a single biopsy is poorly representative of the known genetic heterogeneity of tumours. Liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising strategy for analysing circulating tumour components including circulating tumour DNA. Cell-free DNA and tumour DNA are derived from necrotic, apoptotic and living eukaryotic cells. The profiling of genetic and epigenetic alterations in circulating cell-free DNA has potential clinical applications including early disease detection, prediction of treatment response and prognostication in real time. Novel biomarker candidates for disease detection and monitoring are under study. Of these, methylation analyses of circulating tumour DNA have shown promising performance for early HCC detection in at-risk patients. Assessments of assay performance in longitudinal validation cohorts are ongoing. Implementation of liquid biopsy for HCC will likely improve upon the current surveillance strategy. This review summarises the most recent developments on the role and utility of circulating cell-free DNA in the detection and management of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen H Tran
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - John Kisiel
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Lewis R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
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Pelizzaro F, Cardin R, Penzo B, Pinto E, Vitale A, Cillo U, Russo FP, Farinati F. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Now? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2274. [PMID: 34068786 PMCID: PMC8126224 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related death worldwide. Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed in order to improve patient survival. Indeed, the most widely used biomarkers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), have limited accuracy as both diagnostic and prognostic tests. Liver biopsy provides an insight on the biology of the tumor, but it is an invasive procedure, not routinely used, and not representative of the whole neoplasia due to the demonstrated intra-tumoral heterogeneity. In recent years, liquid biopsy, defined as the molecular analysis of cancer by-products, released by the tumor in the bloodstream, emerged as an appealing source of new biomarkers. Several studies focused on evaluating extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA and non-coding RNA as novel reliable biomarkers. In this review, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the most relevant available evidence on novel circulating biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic monitoring. Liquid biopsy seems to be a very promising instrument and, in the near future, some of these new non-invasive tools will probably change the clinical management of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Romilda Cardin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Elisa Pinto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
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27
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Li Y, Zheng Y, Wu L, Li J, Ji J, Yu Q, Dai W, Feng J, Wu J, Guo C. Current status of ctDNA in precision oncology for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:140. [PMID: 33902698 PMCID: PMC8074474 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01940-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The conventional method used to obtain a tumor biopsy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is invasive and does not evaluate dynamic cancer progression or assess tumor heterogeneity. It is thus imperative to create a novel non-invasive diagnostic technique for improvement in cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment selection, response assessment, and predicting prognosis for HCC. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a non-invasive liquid biopsy method that reveals cancer-specific genetic and epigenetic aberrations. Owing to the development of technology in next-generation sequencing and PCR-based assays, the detection and quantification of ctDNA have greatly improved. In this publication, we provide an overview of current technologies used to detect ctDNA, the ctDNA markers utilized, and recent advances regarding the multiple clinical applications in the field of precision medicine for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Liwei Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jie Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Weiqi Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jiao Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Jianye Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China.
| | - Chuanyong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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28
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A novel DNA methylation-based model that effectively predicts prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:227938. [PMID: 33634306 PMCID: PMC7955104 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20203945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To build a novel predictive model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients based on DNA methylation data. METHODS Four independent DNA methylation datasets for HCC were used to screen for common differentially methylated genes (CDMGs). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were used to explore the biological roles of CDMGs in HCC. Univariate Cox analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox analysis were performed to identify survival-related CDMGs (SR-CDMGs) and to build a predictive model. The importance of this model was assessed using Cox regression analysis, propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis and stratification analysis. A validation group from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was constructed to further validate the model. RESULTS Four SR-CDMGs were identified and used to build the predictive model. The risk score of this model was calculated as follows: risk score = (0.01489826 × methylation level of WDR69) + (0.15868618 × methylation level of HOXB4) + (0.16674959 × methylation level of CDKL2) + (0.16689301 × methylation level of HOXA10). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients in the low-risk group had a significantly longer overall survival (OS; log-rank P-value =0.00071). The Cox model multivariate analysis and PSM analysis identified the risk score as an independent prognostic factor (P<0.05). Stratified analysis results further confirmed this model performed well. By analyzing the validation group, the results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and survival analysis further validated this model. CONCLUSION Our DNA methylation-based prognosis predictive model is effective and reliable in predicting prognosis for patients with HCC.
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Labgaa I, Villanueva A, Dormond O, Demartines N, Melloul E. The Role of Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognostication. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040659. [PMID: 33562173 PMCID: PMC7914891 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancer. Clinical guidelines for the management of HCC endorse algorithms deriving from clinical variables whose performances to prognosticate HCC is limited. Liquid biopsy is the molecular analysis of tumor by-products released into the bloodstream. It offers minimally-invasive access to circulating analytes like DNA, RNA, exosomes and cells. This technology demonstrated promising results for various applications in cancers, including prognostication. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the contribution of liquid biopsy in HCC prognostication. The results suggested that liquid biopsy may be a polyvalent and valuable tool to prognosticate HCC. Abstract Showing a steadily increasing cancer-related mortality, the epidemiological evolution of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is concerning. Numerous strategies have attempted to prognosticate HCC but their performance is modest; this is partially due to the heterogeneous biology of this cancer. Current clinical guidelines endorse classifications and scores that use clinical variables, such as the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification. These algorithms are unlikely to fully recapitulate the genomic complexity of HCC. Integrating molecular readouts on a patient-basis, following a precision-medicine perspective, might be an option to refine prognostic systems. The limited access to HCC tissue samples is an important limitation to these approaches but it could be partially circumvented by using liquid biopsy. This concept consists of the molecular analysis of products derived from a solid tumor and released into biological fluids, mostly into the bloodstream. It offers an easy and minimally-invasive access to DNA, RNA, extracellular vesicles and cells that can be analyzed with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. This review aims to investigate the potential contributions of liquid biopsy in HCC prognostication. The results identified prognostic values for each of the components of liquid biopsy, suggesting that this technology may help refine HCC prognostication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Labgaa
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (I.L.); (O.D.); (E.M.)
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Division of Liver Diseases, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Olivier Dormond
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (I.L.); (O.D.); (E.M.)
| | - Nicolas Demartines
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (I.L.); (O.D.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Emmanuel Melloul
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (I.L.); (O.D.); (E.M.)
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30
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Chen VL, Xu D, Wicha MS, Lok AS, Parikh ND. Utility of Liquid Biopsy Analysis in Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Determination of Prognosis, and Disease Monitoring: A Systematic Review. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 18:2879-2902.e9. [PMID: 32289533 PMCID: PMC7554087 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liquid biopsies, or blood samples, can be analyzed to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and extracellular vesicles, which might identify patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or help determine their prognoses. We performed a systematic review of studies of analyses of liquid biopsies from patients with HCC and their comparisons with other biomarkers. METHODS We performed a systematic review of original studies published before December 1, 2019. We included studies that compared liquid biopsies alone and in combination with other biomarkers for the detection of HCC, performed multivariate analyses of the accuracy of liquid biopsy analysis in determining patient prognoses, or evaluated the utility of liquid biopsy analysis in monitoring treatment response. RESULTS Our final analysis included 112 studies: 67 on detection, 46 on determining prognosis, and 25 on treatment monitoring or selection. Ten studies evaluated assays that characterized cfDNA for detection of HCC in combination with measurement of α-fetoprotein (AFP)-these studies found that the combined measurement of cfDNA and AFP more accurately identified patients with HCC than measurement of AFP alone. Six studies evaluated assays for extracellular vesicles and 2 studies evaluated assays for CTC in detection of HCC, with and without other biomarkers-most of these studies found that detection of CTCs or extracellular vesicles with AFP more accurately identified patients with HCC than measurement of AFP alone. Detection of CTCs before surgery was associated with HCC recurrence after resection in 13 of 14 studies; cfDNA and extracellular vesicles have been studied less frequently as prognostic factors. Changes in CTC numbers before vs after treatment more accurately identify patients with HCC recurrence than pretreatment counts alone, and measurements of cfDNA can identify patients with disease recurrence or progression before changes can be detected by imaging. We found little evidence that analyses of liquid biopsies can aid in the selection of treatment for HCC. Quality assessment showed risk of bias in studies of HCC detection and determination of prognosis. CONCLUSIONS In a systematic review of 112 studies of the accuracy of liquid biopsy analysis, we found that assays for CTCs and cfDNA might aid in determining patient prognoses and monitoring HCC, and assays for cfDNA might aid in HCC detection, but there is a risk of bias in these studies. Studies must be standardized before we can assess the clinical utility of liquid biopsy analysis in the detection and management of patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent L Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
| | - Dabo Xu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Max S Wicha
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Hayashi M, Yamada S, Kurimoto K, Tanabe H, Hirabayashi S, Sonohara F, Inokawa Y, Takami H, Kanda M, Tanaka C, Nakayama G, Koike M, Kodera Y. miR-23b-3p Plays an Oncogenic Role in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2020; 28:3416-3426. [PMID: 33140250 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-020-09283-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports show miR-23b to be a cancer-related biomarker in various cancer types. Interestingly, it has a dual role of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions, depending on the cancer type. This study focused on the unknown association of miR-23b-3p with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Expression of miR-23b-3p was measured in nine HCC cell lines and 125 resected human HCC samples by TaqMan microRNA assays. To detect its downstream target, miR-23b-3p mimic and inhibitor constructs were transfected and analyzed. RESULTS HepG2, a high miR-23b-3p-expressing cell line, was transfected with a miR-23b-3p inhibitor construct, whereas SK-Hep1, a low miR-23b-3p-expressing cell line, was transfected with a mimic construct. Proliferation of HCC cells was activated by miR-23b-3p overexpression and diminished by its knockdown. Then, 125 clinical HCC samples were examined to measure miR-23b-3p expression. Tumor expression of miR-23b-3p was upregulated in 48 cases (38%) and downregulated in 77 cases (62%). The upregulated cases were correlated with elderly patients (P = 0.015). These patients also showed significantly poor overall survival [hazard ratio (HR), 3.10; 95% conflidence interval (CI), 1.57-6.29; P = 0.001] in a multivariate analysis. Furthermore, mitochondrial metabolism-related genes (MICU3 and AUH) were detected as specific binding targets. CONCLUSION The study showed that miR-23b-3p functions as an oncogenic microRNA in HCC cell lines. Its overexpression in resected HCC tissues was a significant prognostic factor of overall survival. Both MICU3 and AUH may be candidate gene targets of miR-23b-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamichi Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Suguru Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Kurimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tanabe
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sho Hirabayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Fuminori Sonohara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshikuni Inokawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideki Takami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mitsuro Kanda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Chie Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Goro Nakayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kodera
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Cao X, Yang Q, Yu Q. Increased Expression of miR-487b Is Associated With Poor Prognosis and Tumor Progression of HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 7:ofaa498. [PMID: 33364257 PMCID: PMC7749721 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing evidence has demonstrated the involvement of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aims of this study were to analyze whether miR-487b can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HBV-related HCC and to explore its effect on the biological function of HCC. Methods The expression levels of miR-487b in the serum of all subjects were measured by real-time quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic value of miR-487b in serum was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationship between miR-487b and the clinical data of patients was analyzed using the chi-square test. The prognostic value of miR-487b in HCC was assessed by Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival. Moreover, CCK-8 and Transwell assays were performed to investigate the effect of miR-487b on HBV-related HCC function. Results Our data indicated that miR-487b in HCC patients was significantly higher than in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and healthy controls. Meanwhile, the ROC curve showed that miR-487b had high specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC. MiR-487b can significantly distinguish between HCC patients and healthy controls and can differentiate HCC patients from CHB patients. Cox regression analysis showed that miR-487b was an independent risk factor. Overexpression of miR-487b was associated with Tumor Node Metastasis stage stage and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage in HCC patients. Cell function experiments demonstrated that upregulated miR-487b promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conclusions Combined the results of the current study demonstrate that the upregulation of serum miR-487b may serve as a promising noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for HBV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangang Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qing Yu
- Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Trevisan França de Lima L, Broszczak D, Zhang X, Bridle K, Crawford D, Punyadeera C. The use of minimally invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188451. [PMID: 33065194 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in systemic therapies, patient survival remains low due to late diagnosis and frequent underlying liver diseases. HCC diagnosis generally relies on imaging and liver tissue biopsy. Liver biopsy presents limitations because it is invasive, potentially risky for patients and it frequently misrepresents tumour heterogeneity. Recently, liquid biopsy has emerged as a way to monitor cancer progression in a non-invasive manner. Tumours shed content into the bloodstream, such as circulating tumour cells (CTCs), circulating nucleic acids, extracellular vesicles and proteins, that can be isolated from biological fluids of patients with HCC. These biomarkers provide knowledge regarding the genetic landscape of tumours and might be used for diagnostic or prognostic purposes. In this review, we summarize recent literature on circulating biomarkers for HCC, namely CTCs, circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), RNA, extracellular vesicles and proteins, and their clinical relevance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Trevisan França de Lima
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus, QLD, Australia; Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Greenslopes, QLD, Australia
| | - Daniel Broszczak
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus, QLD, Australia
| | - Xi Zhang
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus, QLD, Australia
| | - Kim Bridle
- The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Herston, QLD, Australia; Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Greenslopes, QLD, Australia
| | - Darrell Crawford
- The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Herston, QLD, Australia; Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Greenslopes, QLD, Australia
| | - Chamindie Punyadeera
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus, QLD, Australia.
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Mocan T, Simão AL, Castro RE, Rodrigues CMP, Słomka A, Wang B, Strassburg C, Wöhler A, Willms AG, Kornek M. Liquid Biopsies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Are We Winning? J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9051541. [PMID: 32443747 PMCID: PMC7291267 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer-related death. One of the major problems faced by researchers and clinicians in this area is the lack of reliable disease biomarkers, which would allow for an earlier diagnosis, follow-up or prediction of treatment response, among others. In this regard, the “HCC circulome”, defined as the pool of circulating molecules in the bloodstream derived from the primary tumor, represents an appealing target, the so called liquid biopsy. Such molecules encompass circulating tumor proteins, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), tumor-educated platelets (TEPs), and circulating tumor nucleic acids, namely circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor RNA (ctRNA). In this article, we summarize recent findings highlighting the promising role of liquid biopsies as novel potential biomarkers in HCC, emphasizing on its clinical performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Mocan
- Octavian Fodor Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Haţieganu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - André L. Simão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.L.S.); (R.E.C.); (C.M.P.R.)
| | - Rui E. Castro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.L.S.); (R.E.C.); (C.M.P.R.)
| | - Cecília M. P. Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.L.S.); (R.E.C.); (C.M.P.R.)
| | - Artur Słomka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Bingduo Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Christian Strassburg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Aliona Wöhler
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, German Armed Forces Central Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany; (A.W.); (A.G.W.)
| | - Arnulf G. Willms
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, German Armed Forces Central Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany; (A.W.); (A.G.W.)
| | - Miroslaw Kornek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.W.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Zhang G, Kang Z, Mei H, Huang Z, Li H. Promising diagnostic and prognostic value of six genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:1239-1254. [PMID: 32355538 PMCID: PMC7191178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Ample data have been reported to unravel the carcinogenesis over the past decades. Although pinpointing the cause of the HCC is challenging, this in and of itself may not be an insuperable problem. Indeed, the emergence of novel molecular targets has given rise to targeted therapy for HCC. Compared to traditional treatments, drugs with molecularly targeted agents are considered an optimal way to treat HCC. However, targeted approaches are currently limited among HCC patients. In our work, we explored more potential genes for targeted treatment of HCC. Initially, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) and NetworkAnalyst. Subsequently, 10 key genes were selected through enrichment analysis and PPI network construction. Based on the GEPIA and Oncomine databases, six upregulated genes were selected. High protein expression of these six genes were confirmed through the Human Protein Atlas database. In addition, these six genes were associated with unfavorable overall survival and progression-free survival based on Kaplan-Meier plotter bioinformatics. Moreover, gene expression was closely related to the tumor stages and pathological grades, as determined with UALCAN. More importantly, PTTG1, UBE2C, and ZWINT were identified as potential targets of anti-cancer drugs using cBioPortal. qPCR and western blot assays were used to show the high expression levels of the latter three genes in HCC cell lines. Collectively, these findings are expected to provide a theoretical basis for and give novel insights into clinical research of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanqi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhengchun Kang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical UniversityShanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Hongliang Mei
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLAWuhan 430070, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLAWuhan 430070, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Hanjun Li
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, Hubei, P.R. China
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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.
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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.
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Liquid biopsy in hepatocellular carcinoma: circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:114. [PMID: 31269959 PMCID: PMC6607541 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1043-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers and a leading cause of death worldwide. Due to latent liver disease, late diagnosis, and nonresponse to systemic treatments, surgical resection and/or biopsy specimens are still generally considered as the gold standard by clinicians for clinical decision-making until now. Since the conventional tissue biopsy is invasive and contains small tissue samples, it is unable to represent tumor heterogeneity or monitor dynamic tumor progression. Therefore, it is imperative to find a new less invasive or noninvasive diagnostic strategy to detect HCC at an early stage and to monitor HCC recurrence. Over the past years, a new diagnostic concept known as “liquid biopsy” has emerged with substantial attention. Liquid biopsy is noninvasive and allows repeated analyses to monitor tumor recurrence, metastasis or treatment responses in real time. With the advanced development of new molecular techniques, HCC circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection have achieved interesting and encouraging results. In this review, we focus on the clinical applications of CTCs and ctDNA as key components of liquid biopsy in HCC patients.
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38
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Emerging Function and Clinical Values of Exosomal MicroRNAs in Cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 16:791-804. [PMID: 31163321 PMCID: PMC6545365 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes are a subset of membrane-bound extracellular vesicles with diameters ranging from 30 to 100 nm. Exosomes enclose a variety of molecules, such as lipids, proteins, and non-coding RNAs. In the past decades, microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted great attention in cancer research, as they play an important role in the occurrence and development of cancer. Increasing evidence indicates that tumor cells communicate with not only other tumor cells but also cells present in the tumor microenvironment via secretion and transfer of exosomal miRNAs. More importantly, exosomal miRNAs are found to serve as signaling molecules to regulate tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, sensitivity to chemotherapy, and immune evasion. Deregulated expression of exosomal miRNAs is an early event in carcinogenesis and may reflect the malignant characteristics of cancer. Owing to the wide existence and high stability of exosomal miRNAs in body fluids, they may represent a novel class of non-invasive biomarkers for cancer. In this review, we highlight the recent advances on the functional role of exosomal miRNAs in cancer pathogenesis. We also discuss the potential clinical utility of exosome-shuttled miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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Liu WB, Han F, Huang YS, Chen HQ, Chen JP, Wang DD, Jiang X, Yin L, Cao J, Liu JY. TMEM196 hypermethylation as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for lung cancer. Mol Carcinog 2018; 58:474-487. [PMID: 30536447 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidences have revealed tumor-specific gene methylation is considered to be a promising non-invasive biomarker for many different types of cancers. This study was determined whether TMEM196 gene hypermethylation and downregulation are considered to be promising biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis in lung cancer. Methylation status was detected with methylation-specific PCR. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analysis were used to determine the significance of prognosis. TMEM196 gene was hypermethylated in 68.1% (64/94) of lung cancer tissues, 52.8% (67/127) of plasma and 55.2% (79/143) of sputum samples, but unmethylated (0/50) in normal tissues. TMEM196 methylation in plasma and sputum samples was significantly correlated with that in the corresponding paired tumor tissues (r = 0.750, r = 0.880, P < 0.001). TMEM196 aberrant methylation in cancer tissues, plasma and sputum DNA was significantly associated with age and pathological type (P < 0.05). TMEM196 high methylation could robustly distinguish lung cancer patients (AUC = 0.905) from normal subjects and patients with TMEM196 high methylation have a significantly poorer survival than those with low level from The Cancer Genome Atlas (Wilcoxon P < 0.001). Multivariate models showed TMEM196 methylation is an independent prognostic marker in lung cancer. Furthermore, the overall survival of patients with low TMEM196 expression was significantly poorer than that of TMEM196-high patients (P < 0.001, log-rank test). Low TMEM196 expression in tumor tissues was found to predict poorer survival (HR = 3.007; 95%CI, 1.918-4.714). Our study provided new insights into the clinical importance and potential use of TMEM196 methylation and expression as novel early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for human lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bin Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Fei Han
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yong-Sheng Huang
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Hong-Qiang Chen
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jian-Ping Chen
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Dan-Dan Wang
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xiao Jiang
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Li Yin
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jia Cao
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jin-Yi Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, PR China
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Shang M, Chang C, Pei Y, Guan Y, Chang J, Li H. Potential Management of Circulating Tumor DNA as a Biomarker in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. J Cancer 2018; 9:4627-4634. [PMID: 30588246 PMCID: PMC6299380 DOI: 10.7150/jca.28458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As a specific subtype of breast cancer, Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with worse prognosis and higher tumor aggressiveness than HER2-amplified or hormone receptor positive breast cancers. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), as a non-invasive “liquid biopsy”, is an emerging original blood-based biomarker for early breast cancer diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and determining prognosis. In TNBC patients, ctDNA has an inherent tendency to characterize tumor heterogeneity and metastasis-specific mutations providing a key alternative to tumor tissue profiling. Several studies have already demonstrated the potential of ctDNA in TNBC patients from early to advanced stages of the disease including diagnosis, therapy decisions and assessment of prognosis. This review provides a critical brief summary of the evidence that gives credence to the utility of ctDNA as a biomarker for its role into clinical management in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Shang
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Jinan Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China. 250117
| | - Chunxiao Chang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China. 250117
| | - Yanqing Pei
- Department of Quality Management Office, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China. 250117
| | - Yin Guan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Chang
- Oncology department, Affiliated Hospital of Taishan Medical university
| | - HuiHui Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China. 250117
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Su YH, Kim AK, Jain S. Liquid biopsies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Transl Res 2018; 201:84-97. [PMID: 30056068 PMCID: PMC6483086 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the world's second leading cause of cancer death; 82.4% of patients die within 5 years. This grim prognosis is the consequence of a lack of effective early detection tools, limited treatment options, and the high frequency of HCC recurrence. Advances in the field of liquid biopsy hold great promise in improving early detection of HCC, advancing patient prognosis, and ultimately increasing the survival rate. In an effort to address the current challenges of HCC screening and management, several studies have identified and evaluated liver-cancer-associated molecular signatures such as genetic alterations, methylation, and noncoding RNA expression in the form of circulating biomarkers in body fluids and circulating tumor cells of HCC patients. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in HCC liquid biopsy, organized by the intended clinical application of the reported study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsiu Su
- The Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
| | - Amy K Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland.
| | - Surbhi Jain
- JBS Science, Inc., Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
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Gu Y, Wang X, Liu H, Li G, Yu W, Ma Q. SET7/9 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through regulation of E2F1. Oncol Rep 2018; 40:1863-1874. [PMID: 30106440 PMCID: PMC6111541 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Histone‑lysine N‑methyltransferase SET7/9 is a protein lysine monomethylase that methylates histone H3K4 as well as various non‑histone proteins. Deregulation of SET7/9 is frequently detected in human cancers. However, the role of SET7/9 in HCC development remains unclear. In the present study, upregulation of SET7/9 and E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) expression was detected in 68 samples of HCC tissues compared with these levels noted in the paired healthy liver samples. The expression levels of SET7/9 and E2F1 were significantly correlated with pathological stage and tumor size. Subcellular fractionation and co‑immunoprecipitation analyses revealed protein‑protein interaction between SET7/9 and E2F1 in the cytoplasm of HCC cells. Silencing of SET7/9, as well as treatment with 5'‑deoxy‑5'‑methylthioadenosine (MTA), a protein methylation inhibitor, led to reduced E2F1 protein abundance in HCC cells. Using Cell Counting Kit‑8 (CCK‑8) assay, Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay, significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion were observed in cells exhibiting downregulation of SET7/9 and E2F1 expression, as well as in wild‑type HCC cells treated with MTA. Furthermore, SET7/9 downregulation and MTA treatment resulted in reduced expression of downstream targets of E2F1, including cyclin A2, cyclin E1 and CDK2. In conclusion, the present study revealed an oncogenic function of SET7/9 in HCC and demonstrated that SET7/9 may be responsible for alterations in the proliferative ability, aggressiveness and invasive/metastatic potential of HCC cells through post‑translational regulation of E2F1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Gu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, P.R. China
| | - Xinling Wang
- Department of Pathology, No. 81 Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, P.R. China
| | - Guimei Li
- Department of Pathology, No. 81 Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Weiping Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, P.R. China
| | - Qing Ma
- College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
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Diagnostic Value of the Methylation of Multiple Gene Promoters in Serum in Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2017; 2017:2929381. [PMID: 28951629 PMCID: PMC5603249 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2929381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic value of the methylation of multiple gene promoters in serum in hepatitis B virus- (HBV-) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 343 participants were enrolled, including 98 patients with HCC, 75 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 80 healthy individuals. RASSF1A, APC, BVES, TIMP3, GSTP1, and HOXA9 were selected as the candidate genes. The MethyLight method was used to assay promoter methylation statuses. The diagnostic performances of markers were assessed by constructing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The prevalences of methylation for RASSF1A, APC, BVES, HOXA9, GSTP1, and TIMP3 were 52.04%, 36.73%, 29.59%, 20.41%, 17.35%, and 11.22%, respectively. APC methylation completely overlapped with RASSF1A methylation. The area under the curve (AUC) for RASSF1A methylation (0.718) was better than the corresponding AUC for AFP (0.609) in distinguishing HCC from CHB. When RASSF1A, BVES, HOXA9, and AFP were combined, the AUC was 0.852 (95% CI = 0.796–0.908, P = 0.028), and the sensitivity and specificity were 83.7% and 78.9%, respectively. In conclusion, an assay that combines methylation of the RASSF1A, BVES, and HOXA9 gene promoters in serum and AFP could significantly improve HBV-related HCC diagnoses.
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