Background and study aim: Cirrhosis is considered a risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C virus infection is one of the important causes of the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Annexin A5 is one of the annexin group, it is one of the cellular proteins used as a marker for apoptosis, by its ability to bind to the phosphatidylserine at the cell membrane. It is involved in many studies for its role in the development of tumors and a variety of cancers. This study is to evaluate Annexin A5 role as a diagnostic biomarker for HCC in HCV-induced cirrhotic patients.
Patients and Methods: ‎‎‎ This study involved 60 cirrhotic patients due to HCV divided into a group having hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n=30) and a group with no HCC (n=30) and 20 health volunteers as a group of control. Annexin A5 was detected using the ELISA technique. The full details regarding Annexin A5 levels in these groups were discussed.‎
Results: Cirrhotic patients with HCC were higher in Annexin A5 serum level (12.553±3.962) than cirrhotic patients without HCC (6.040±1.227) and control group (5.014±0.901)‎.
Conclusion: Annexin A5 serum level could be useful as a marker for HCC in cirrhosis due to HCV ‎‎.