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Investigation of Novel Urinary Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in a Predominantly African American
Alexandra Shingina1, Xijing Han2, Lei Fan3
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Gastrointestinal Tumors
|April 9, 2024
Summary
Urinary thromboxane (11dTxB2) and the prostacyclin (PGI-M) to thromboxane (11dTxB2) ratio may indicate liver cancer risk in African Americans. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and develop practical detection methods.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarkers
- Epidemiology
Background:
- African Americans exhibit a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to other racial groups.
- Prostaglandin E2 (PGE-M), prostacyclin (PGI-M), and thromboxane (11dTxB2) are key mediators in inflammation and cancer development.
- Urinary levels of these eicosanoids may serve as accessible indicators of HCC risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between urinary biomarkers of eicosanoid synthesis and HCC risk.
- To examine the ratio of prostacyclin to thromboxane metabolites as a potential HCC risk indicator.
- To focus on a cohort with a high proportion of African American participants.
Main Methods:
- A nested case-control study was conducted within the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), comprising over 80,000 participants.
- Urine samples from 50 HCC cases and 151 controls were analyzed for four urinary biomarkers.
- Multivariable regression models were employed, adjusting for various demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of urinary thromboxane (11dTxB2) were significantly associated with increased HCC risk (OR = 11.50).
- A higher ratio of prostacyclin metabolite (PGI-M) to thromboxane metabolite (11dTxB2) in the second quartile also correlated with elevated HCC risk (OR = 5.16).
- No significant associations were found for other investigated biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Urinary 11dTxB2 and the PGI-M/11dTxB2 ratio may serve as potential urinary biomarkers for HCC risk.
- These findings are particularly relevant for African Americans, a population with a high burden of HCC.
- Prospective studies are warranted to validate these biomarkers and explore their clinical utility.
