Plasma proteasome level is a reliable early marker of malignant transformation of liver cirrhosis
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Plasma proteasome levels are a reliable marker for detecting malignant transformation in cirrhosis patients, even with low tumor mass. This diagnostic tool shows higher sensitivity and specificity than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
Area Of Science
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Hepatology
Background
- Proteasomes are key intracellular proteolytic complexes.
- Circulating proteasome levels serve as potential tumor markers.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lacks sensitive markers in cirrhosis patients.
Purpose Of The Study
- To evaluate plasma proteasome levels as a diagnostic marker for HCC in patients with cirrhosis.
- To compare the diagnostic efficacy of plasma proteasomes with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
Main Methods
- Plasma proteasome levels were measured using ELISA in 83 cirrhosis patients (50 with HCC, 33 without HCC) and 40 controls.
- Tumor mass and AFP levels were also assessed.
- Statistical analysis compared proteasome levels between groups and with AFP performance.
Main Results
- Plasma proteasome levels were significantly elevated in HCC patients versus controls (p<0.001) and non-HCC cirrhosis patients (p<0.001).
- Elevated levels were observed even in HCC patients with low tumor mass.
- Proteasome measurement demonstrated 97% specificity and 72% sensitivity for HCC, outperforming AFP.
Conclusions
- Plasma proteasome levels are a reliable indicator of malignant transformation in cirrhosis.
- This marker is effective even in cases of low tumor burden.
- Proteasome measurement offers a promising diagnostic strategy for HCC in high-risk populations.