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Biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma
Goshi Shiota1, Norimasa Miura2
1Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Department of Genetic Medicine and Regenerative Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, 683-8503, Japan. gshiota@med.tottori-u.ac.jp.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires effective biomarkers for early detection, recurrence monitoring, and predicting treatment response in patients with chronic liver disease. Ongoing research aims to identify more clinically useful biomarkers for improved HCC management.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Oncology
- Biomarker Discovery and Validation
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death globally, often arising from chronic liver diseases like hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- Despite advances in HCC therapy, high recurrence rates and the emergence of new treatments necessitate improved diagnostic and prognostic tools.
- Current clinical practice utilizes several HCC biomarkers, but the search for more effective and clinically applicable markers continues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of existing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biomarkers.
- To evaluate the clinical utility of various HCC biomarkers for detection, recurrence monitoring, and treatment prediction.
- To highlight the ongoing need for novel biomarkers in managing HCC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published studies on HCC biomarkers.
- Assessment of the clinical relevance and performance of identified biomarkers.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on biomarker applications in HCC patient care.
Main Results:
- Several biomarkers for HCC detection and management are currently in clinical use.
- Existing biomarkers show varying degrees of utility in diagnosing HCC and monitoring disease progression.
- The development of new therapies for HCC drives the demand for novel surrogate biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Biomarkers are crucial for early HCC detection, assessing recurrence risk, and predicting treatment efficacy.
- While established biomarkers exist, further research is essential to discover and validate new markers for improved HCC patient outcomes.
- The continuous evolution of HCC treatment strategies underscores the need for advanced biomarker development.
