Retinol-binding protein 4 as a promising serum biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular Carcinoma

Fengjie Wan ¹, Yujia Zhu ², Feixiang Wu ³

¹Guangxi Medical University School of Public Health, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China; Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.
²Guigang Dermatosis Prevention and Treatment Hospital, Guigang, Guangxi 537100, PR China.
³Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.
⁴Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.
⁵Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
⁶Guangxi Medical University Life Sciences Institute, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.
⁷Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, PR China.
⁸Guangxi Medical University School of Public Health, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.
⁹The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.
¹⁰Guangxi Medical University School of Public Health, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China; Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China; Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning 530021, PR China.

⁰Guangxi Medical University School of Public Health, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China; Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.

Translational Oncology +

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May 10, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) shows promise as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis and prognosis. Lower RBP4 levels correlate with poorer HCC outcomes, and combining RBP4 with AFP improves diagnostic accuracy.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Proteomics
Biomarker Discovery

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis, underscoring the need for early diagnosis.
Early detection is critical for improving HCC patient outcomes.

Purpose Of The Study

To identify novel biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
To validate retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC.

Main Methods

Comparative proteomics was used to identify potential HCC biomarkers.
Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) expression was analyzed in HCC tissues and serum using immunohistochemistry and ELISA.
Diagnostic and prognostic values were assessed using receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and survival data.

Main Results

RBP4 levels were significantly reduced in HCC tissues and serum.
RBP4 demonstrated an AUC of 0.879 for HCC diagnosis, increasing to 0.919 when combined with AFP.
Low RBP4 expression was associated with significantly reduced overall survival in HCC patients.

Conclusions

RBP4 shows significant potential as a diagnostic biomarker for HCC, complementing AFP.
RBP4 also serves as a promising prognostic biomarker, improving HCC prognosis efficiency when integrated into a combined model.

Keywords:

Biomarkers Diagnosis model HCC Proteomic RBP4