Lipocalin-2: A novel diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Viral hepatitis, alcoholism and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are the most common risk factors. Despite the advances in HCC screening and treatment options, HCC still has a high mortality rate and a high rate of recurrence after treatment.

Sofosbuvir and daclatasvir plus ribavirin treatment improve liver function parameters and clinical outcomes in Egyptian chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background And Aims: Interferon-free direct-acting antivirals (DAA) combination therapies, including sofosbuvir (SOF) and daclatasvir (DCV) therapy, eradicate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a high percentage of patients, but its impact on improvements in liver function is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in clinical and biochemical parameters reflecting liver function and general status in those who achieved HCV eradication by DAA.

Patients And Methods: From March 2016 to October 2016, 374 chronic hepatitis C patients were enrolled for this prospective, observational study and received SOF, DCV with ribavirin, to evaluate the changes in liver function parameters, international normalized ratio, complete blood count, model for end-stage liver disease, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores after achieving a sustained virological response 12 weeks after treatment.