Background and study aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver tumors. In Egypt, it is the second most common cancer in men, and the sixth most frequent cancer in women. Prognosis of HCC depends on tumor stage, with curative therapies effective only in early stage; thus, new and appropriate HCC markers are highly required. The aim was to evaluate serum diagnostic value Golgi Protein 73 in Egyptian HCC patients.
Patients and Methods: This study included 30 HCC patients, 30 cirrhotic patients and 20 healthy controls. For all groups clinical data and imaging results were studied; serum alpha-fetoprotein and Golgi Protein 73 were identified. Evaluation of the tumor characteristics including size, number and location. Okuda, CLIP and Tokyo staging methods used in tumor staging.
Results: GP73 was significantly higher in HCC patients compared to cirrhotic patients and controls. Its sensitivity and specificity in HCC diagnosis were 95% and 83.3%, respectively, at cut-off 5.8%. There is a positive correlation between GP73 and Okuda score and ClIP score and no correlations with number and size of the tumor, child's classification, MELD, uMELD and Tokyo stages.
Conclusion: GP73 could be a useful diagnostic marker for detection and screening of HCC.