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Circulating Hepatocellular Cells are a Bad Prognostic Factor for HCC Patients
Hepato-Gastroenterology
|February 24, 2016
Summary
Detecting alpha-fetoprotein messenger RNA (mRNA) in blood indicates circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells (CHCCs). This finding may predict metastasis and poor prognosis in liver cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research
- Cancer Biomarkers
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells (CHCCs) are potential indicators in liver cancer.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can detect these cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between CHCCs and patient survival after various treatments.
- To determine if AFP mRNA detection in blood correlates with HCC progression and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Collected peripheral blood samples from 93 HCC patients and 33 controls (2009-2012).
- Used RT-PCR to amplify alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) messenger RNA (mRNA) from extracted blood RNA to detect CHCCs.
Main Results:
- AFP mRNA was detected in 53% of HCC patients, but in none of the controls.
- AFP mRNA presence correlated with advanced tumor stage, higher serum AFP, intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein thrombosis, and larger tumor diameter.
Conclusions:
- AFP mRNA in peripheral blood suggests the presence of CHCCs.
- This marker may predict hematogenous metastasis and serve as a negative prognostic factor for HCC patients.
