Abstracto

Evaluation of Golgi protein 73 as a prognostic marker after loco-regional ablation of HCC in Hepatitis C cirrhotic patients.

Nahla Khalaf, Mahmoud El-Kadeem, Amany Abo Elenein, Gamal Kasem, Elsayed Wasfi

Background & Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a global health problem. Its diagnosis depends mainly on abdominal ultrasound and serum alpha-fetoprotein. Golgi protein 73 is a type II membrane protein upregulated in hepatocytes. Serum Golgi protein 73 could be a promising biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim was to assess serum Golgi protein 73 as a marker for follow up of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after either radiofrequency or microwave ablation in comparison to alpha-fetoprotein.

Methods: This study was performed on 80 subjects (60 chronic hepatitis C and liver cirhosis, and 20 controls). They were divided into three groups; Group I: included 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, Group II: included 30 patients without hepatocellular carcinoma, and Group III: included 20 healthy individuals as control ones. Golgi protein 73 was measured in all subjects and followed up in group I one, 3, and 6 months after locoregional ablation.

Results: Both alpha-fetoprotein and Golgi protein 73 were significantly higher in group I than either group II or group III. Alpha-fetoprotein had a cut off value >20 ng/mL (sensitivity 86.67%, specificity 84%). Golgi protein 73 level Golgi protein 73 had a cut off value >79.2 ng/mL (sensitivity 96.67%, specificity 96%). Both markers were decreasing after ablation in different periods of follow up. Golgi protein 73 was correlated positively with alpha-fetoprotein, ALT, and AST.

Conclusion: Golgi protein 73 is a useful marker in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, also in follow up after locoregional therapy to detect early recurrence.