Background and study aim: Hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest essential hepatic threat among adult. Nowadays, the HCC determination without obsessive relationship is done by imaging methods. To elucidate the role of heat shock protein 70(HSP70) in the diagnosis of HCC.
Subjects and Methods: This case control study was achieved in Internal  Medicine and Clinical Pathology Departments, Zagazig University, Egypt. It involved 99 participants divided into three groups; control group, cirrhotic patients and cirrhotic patients with HCC. Participants underwent complete history taking, comprehensive clinical examination, laboratory investigations including viral markers and alpha-fetoprotein. HSP 70 level was calculated  via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Radiological investigations including abdominal ultrasonography and triphasic CT scan were done.
Results: There was a non-significant difference between the studied groups concerning demographic characteristics. There was a significant difference between them regarding hemoglobin, platelet count, liver and kidney function tests and coagulation profile(p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between them as regards HSP 70, and AFP with the maximum values in HCC group. HSP 70 at cutoff ≥120 ng/ml can diagnose HCC at sensitivity 85%, specificity 50%, and accuracy 84% (p<0.05). AFP at cutoff ≥20 ng/ml can recognize HCC with sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 75.8% and accuracy 89%. Combined HSP 70 and AFP increase the sensitivity of diagnosis at 91.5% and accuracy to 93%.
Conclusion: HSP 70 as a serum biomarker can be used with AFP to increase the accuracy of HCC diagnosis.