scholarly journals Validation of mRNAs in Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iqra Khalid ◽  
Azra Quraishi ◽  
Freeha Fiaz

Poor and late diagnosis of HCV is main the cause of liver cancer. MicroRNAs are non-coding molecules that are involved in regulation of a variety of functions happening in the cell, in healthy and diseased state. Dysregulation of microRNAs is observed in different diseases, especially in liver cancer like hepatocellular carcinoma. The available detection methods detect HCC at a late stage. There is a need to find novel biomarkers for diagnosis at an earlier stage to minimize chances of liver cancer. Circulating microRNAs are novel and minimal invasive markers for early detection of HCV based hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, the current progress on the potential role of miRNA as biomarkers for detection of HCC and therapeutic targets are summarized. We concluded that the expression of microRNAis upregulated in the patients of hepatocellular carcinoma when compared with the healthy ones. In-depth studies of miRNA in patients of HCC as genetic biomarkers will improve the diagnosis. It will also improve the prognosis of early stage HCC patients. This will also help in identifying a suitable and effective therapeutic targets so as to reduce the chances of failure of chemotherapy.

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2560
Author(s):  
Luis G. Guijarro ◽  
Patricia Sanmartin-Salinas ◽  
Eva Pérez-Cuevas ◽  
M. Val Toledo-Lobo ◽  
Jorge Monserrat ◽  
...  

New evidence suggests that insulin receptor substrate 4 (IRS-4) may play an important role in the promotion of tumoral growth. In this investigation, we have evaluated the role of IRS-4 in a pilot study performed on patients with liver cancer. We used immunohistochemistry to examine IRS-4 expression in biopsies of tumoral tissue from a cohort of 31 patient suffering of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We simultaneously analyzed the expression of the cancer biomarkers PCNA, Ki-67, and pH3 in the same tissue samples. The in vitro analysis was conducted by studying the behavior of HepG2 cells following IRS-4 overexpression/silencing. IRS-4 was expressed mainly in the nuclei of tumoral cells from HCC patients. In contrast, in healthy cells involved in portal triads, canaliculi, and parenchymal tissue, IRS-4 was observed in the cytosol and the membrane. Nuclear IRS-4 in the tumoral region was found in 69.9 ± 3.2%, whereas in the surrounding healthy hepatocytes, nuclear IRS-4 was rarely observed. The percentage of tumoral cells that exhibited nuclear PCNA and Ki-67 were 52.1 ± 7%, 6.1 ± 1.1% and 1.3 ± 0.2%, respectively. Furthermore, we observed a significant positive linear correlation between nuclear IRS-4 and PCNA (r = 0.989; p < 0.001). However, when we correlated the nuclear expression of IRS-4 and Ki-67, we observed a significant positive curvilinear correlation (r = 0.758; p < 0.010). This allowed us to define two populations, (IRS-4 + Ki-67 ≤ 69%) and (IRS-4 + Ki-67 > 70%). The population with lower levels of IRS-4 and Ki-67 had a higher risk of suffering from multifocal liver cancer (OR = 16.66; CI = 1.68–164.8 (95%); p < 0.05). Immunoblot analyses showed that IRS-4 in normal human liver biopsies was lower than in HepG2, Huh7, and Chang cells. Treatment of HepG2 with IGF-1 and EGF induced IRS-4 translocation to the nucleus. Regulation of IRS-4 levels via HepG2 transfection experiments revealed the protein’s role in proliferation, cell migration, and cell-collagen adhesion. Nuclear IRS-4 is increased in the tumoral region of HCC. IRS-4 and Ki-67 levels are significantly correlated with the presence of multifocal HCC. Moreover, upregulation of IRS-4 in HepG2 cells induced proliferation by a β-catenin/Rb/cyclin D mechanism, whereas downregulation of IRS-4 caused a loss in cellular polarity and in its adherence to collagen as well as a gain in migratory and invasive capacities, probably via an integrin α2 and focal adhesion cascade (FAK) mechanism.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3740
Author(s):  
Chunye Zhang ◽  
Ming Yang

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, followed by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). HCC is the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide, and its incidence is rising, associated with an increased prevalence of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, current treatment options are limited. Genetic factors and epigenetic factors, influenced by age and environment, significantly impact the initiation and progression of NAFLD-related HCC. In addition, both transcriptional factors and post-transcriptional modification are critically important for the development of HCC in the fatty liver under inflammatory and fibrotic conditions. The early diagnosis of liver cancer predicts curative treatment and longer survival. However, clinical HCC cases are commonly found in a very late stage due to the asymptomatic nature of the early stage of NAFLD-related HCC. The development of diagnostic methods and novel biomarkers, as well as the combined evaluation algorithm and artificial intelligence, support the early and precise diagnosis of NAFLD-related HCC, and timely monitoring during its progression. Treatment options for HCC and NAFLD-related HCC include immunotherapy, CAR T cell therapy, peptide treatment, bariatric surgery, anti-fibrotic treatment, and so on. Overall, the incidence of NAFLD-related HCC is increasing, and a better understanding of the underlying mechanism implicated in the progression of NAFLD-related HCC is essential for improving treatment and prognosis.


HPB ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Canale ◽  
Francesco Giuseppe Foschi ◽  
Pietro Andreone ◽  
Giorgio Ercolani ◽  
Giorgia Marisi ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somyoth Sridurongrit

Tgf-Beta is a pleiotropic cytokine with diverse functions on hepatic cells. The well-known function of Tgf-Beta in pathogenesis of liver disease is to stimulate liver fibrosis that often precedes the onset of liver cancer. While Tgf-Beta-mediated fibrosis seems to make liver more prone to the development of liver cancer, Tgf-Beta suppresses initial malignant transformation of hepatic cells thru regulation of proliferation and apoptosis. On the other hand, Tgf-Beta has shown to act as an inducer of tumor development thru enhancement of metastatic process. Additionally, it has been shown that Tgf-Beta signaling in hepatocytes promotes hepatocarcinogenesis caused by certain genetic conditions. This review highlights observations that have improved an understanding of how Tgf-Beta contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 6009
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Anna Krawczyk ◽  
Agata Pospieszynska ◽  
Małgorzata Styczewska ◽  
Ewa Bien ◽  
Sambor Sawicki ◽  
...  

Exosomal heat shock proteins (Hsps) are involved in intercellular communication both in physiological and pathological conditions. They play a role in key processes of carcinogenesis including immune system regulation, cell differentiation, vascular homeostasis and metastasis formation. Thus, exosomal Hsps are emerging biomarkers of malignancies and possible therapeutic targets. Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are patients aged 15–39 years. This age group, placed between pediatric and adult oncology, pose a particular challenge for cancer management. New biomarkers of cancer growth and progression as well as prognostic factors are desperately needed in AYAs. In this review, we attempted to summarize the current knowledge on the role of exosomal Hsps in selected solid tumors characteristic for the AYA population and/or associated with poor prognosis in this age group. These included malignant melanoma, brain tumors, and breast, colorectal, thyroid, hepatocellular, lung and gynecological tract carcinomas. The studies on exosomal Hsps in these tumors are limited; however; some have provided promising results. Although further research is needed, there is potential for future clinical applications of exosomal Hsps in AYA cancers, both as novel biomarkers of disease presence, progression or relapse, or as therapeutic targets or tools for drug delivery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327482090338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Pączek ◽  
Marta Łukaszewicz-Zając ◽  
Barbara Mroczko

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. It is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy in Europe and third worldwide. Colorectal malignancies diagnosed at an early stage offer a promising survival rate. However, advanced tumors often present distant metastases even after the complete resection of a primary tumor. Therefore, novel biomarkers of CRC are sorely needed in the diagnosis and prognosis of this common malignancy. A family of chemokines are composed of small, secreted proteins. They are best known for their ability to stimulate the migration of several cell types. Some investigations have indicated that chemokines are involved in cancer development, including CRC. This article presents current knowledge regarding chemokines and their specific receptors in CRC progression. Moreover, the prime aim of this review is to summarize the potential role of these proteins as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena De Matteis ◽  
Emanuela Scarpi ◽  
Anna Granato ◽  
Umberto Vespasiani-Gentilucci ◽  
Giuliano La Barba ◽  
...  

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma deriving from metabolic dysfunctions has increased in the last years. Sirtuin- (SIRT-3), phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and hypoxia-inducible factor- (HIF-1α) are involved in metabolism and cancer. However, their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metabolism, drug resistance and progression remains unclear. This study aimed to better clarify the biological and clinical function of these markers in HCC patients, in relation to the presence of metabolic alterations, metformin therapy and clinical outcome. A total of 70 HCC patients were enrolled: 48 and 22 of whom were in early stage and advanced stage, respectively. The expression levels of the three markers were assessed by immunohistochemistry and summarized using descriptive statistics. SIRT-3 expression was higher in diabetic than non-diabetic patients, and in metformin-treated than insulin-treated patients. Interestingly, p-mTOR was higher in patients with metabolic syndrome than those with different etiology, and, similar to SIRT-3, in metformin-treated than insulin-treated patients. Moreover, our results describe a slight, albeit not significant, benefit of high SIRT-3 and a significant benefit of high nuclear HIF-1α expression in early-stage patients, whereas high levels of p-mTOR correlated with worse prognosis in advanced-stage patients. Our study highlighted the involvement of SIRT-3 and p-mTOR in metabolic dysfunctions that occur in HCC patients, and suggested SIRT-3 and HIF-1α as predictors of prognosis in early-stage HCC patients, and p-mTOR as target for the treatment of advanced-stage HCC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meenakshi Gupta ◽  
Kumari Chandan ◽  
Maryam Sarwat

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for about 80-90% of all liver cancers and is found to be the third most common cause of cancer mortality in the Asia-Pacific region. Risk factors include hepatitis B and C virus, cirrhosis, aflatoxin-contaminated food, alcohol, and diabetes. Surgically removing the tumor tissue seems effective but a high chance of recurrence has led to an urgent need to develop novel molecules for the treatment of HCC. Clinical management with sorafenib is found to be effective but it is only able to prolong survival for a few months. Various side effects like gastrointestinal and abdominal pain, hypertension, and hemorrhage are also associated with sorafenib, which calls for the unmet need of effective therapies against HCC. Similarly, the genetic mechanisms behind the occurrence of HCC are still unknown and need to be expounded further for developing newer candidates. Since unearthing the concept of these variants, transcriptomics has revealed the role of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in many cellular, physiological and pathobiological processes. They are also found to be widely associated and abundantly expressed in a variety of cancer. Aberrant expression and mutations are closely related to tumorigenesis and metastasis and hence are classified as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer, including HCC. Herein, this review summarises the relationship between ncRNAs and hepatocellular carcinoma.


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