Serum microRNA panels as potential biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma on top of HCV infection.

The identification of new high-sensitivity and high-specificity markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is essential. We aimed at identifying serum microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers for early detection of HCC on top hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We investigated serum expression of 13 miRNAs in 384 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (192 with HCC, 96 with liver cirrhosis (LC), and 96 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC)) in addition to 96 healthy participants enrolled as a control group.

Disease progression from chronic hepatitis C to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with increasing DNA promoter methylation.

Background: Changes in DNA methylation patterns are believed to be early events in hepatocarcinogenesis. A better understanding of methylation states and how they correlate with disease progression will aid in finding potential strategies for early detection of HCC. The aim of our study was to analyze the methylation frequency of tumor suppressor genes, P14, P15, and P73, and a mismatch repair gene (O6MGMT) in HCV related chronic liver disease and HCC to identify candidate epigenetic biomarkers for HCC prediction.