Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating Immune Cell Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment — Challenges and Innovations in Cancer Prognosis
Published on: April 12, 2024
Oxidative and Nitrosative Pattern in Circulating Leukocytes of Very Early/Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Paloma Lluch, Gloria Segarra1,2, Joan Tosca3,1
1INCLIVA, Research Institute Valencia, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Background/Aim:
In chronic liver disease, various immune cell subsets exert pro or anti-tumour effects by releasing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS, RNS). Here, we evaluated the oxidative and nitrosative pattern in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients compared with HCC-free cirrhotic patients.
Materials And Methods:
Venous blood samples from 18 HCC-free cirrhotic patients and 17 early stage HCC patients were collected to determine ROS, RNS and reduced glutathione levels in isolated leukocytes analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results:
Intracellular levels of ROS and glutathione were higher in lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils from HCC patients as well as mitochondrial superoxide in neutrophils and monocytes whereas intracellular levels of nitric oxide were lower in lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils.
Conclusion:
Early HCC alters intracellular levels of ROS and RNS of some circulating leukocytes subsets. This finding may represent a potential area of interest concerning the development of new treatments and prognostic markers.
