Can we use GP73 as a biomarker for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma?

ABSTRACT

Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is one of the top five leading causes of death in Egypt and its prevalence is increasing in the next 10-20 years. We aimed to detect the serum Golgi protein 73 [GP73] in patients with cirrhosis and with HCC, and to determine its sensitivity and specificity as a screening tool for the detection of HCC in this study. Serum GP73 was estimated in 93 participants [patients with HCC, patients with cirrhosis, and healthy controls]. GP73 was elevated in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis; serum level was very high in HCC patients [P<0.01] when compared with the other studied groups. GP73 had sensitivity of 76%, specificity of 75%, at a cut-off value of 16.2 ng/ml with area under the receiver operator characteristic of 0.825 when compared with alpha-fetoprotein that showed a sensitivity of 63%, specificity of 43% at a cut-off value of 16.5 ng/ml and area under the receiver operator characteristic of 0.611. By combining alpha-fetoprotein and GP73 for the diagnosis of HCC, sensitivity and specificity were [93 and 25%], respectively. There is a significant positive correlation between diameter of the focal lesion and GP73 [P=0.01 and r=0.071]. Nonsignificant positive correlation was detected as regards serum GP73 and the number of HCC. GP73 can be used as a screening tool for the detection of HCC. Moreover, it shows a higher serum level with larger lesions