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Plasma proteosome level as a potential marker for hepatocellular carcinoma
Hosni M Salama1, Hanan Abdel-Haleem, Fatma M Taha
1Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Summary
Plasma proteasome levels were elevated in both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis patients compared to controls. However, proteasome levels did not significantly differentiate between HCC and cirrhosis, limiting its diagnostic utility.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of cancer mortality.
- Early detection of HCC is crucial for effective surgical treatment.
- Proteasomes, involved in protein degradation, are explored as potential tumor markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess plasma proteasome levels in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis.
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of plasma proteasome levels for detecting HCC in cirrhosis patients.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 60 patients (HCC group and cirrhosis group) and 20 controls.
- Serum proteasome and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels measured via ELISA.
- Analysis of proteasome levels in relation to HCC severity (Milan criteria) and clinical scoring (Child-Pugh).
Main Results:
- Plasma proteasome levels were significantly higher in HCC and cirrhosis groups versus controls.
- No significant difference in proteasome levels was found between HCC and cirrhosis groups (AUC=0.641, p=0.061).
- Plasma proteasome levels did not correlate with HCC severity, AFP, or clinical scores; combined use with AFP was ineffective for HCC diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Plasma proteasome levels are comparable in cirrhosis and HCC patients, lacking significant discriminatory power.
- Despite non-significant differentiation between groups, plasma proteasome level showed some predictability for HCC (p=0.017).
