Angiogenic output in viral hepatitis, C and B, and HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis is known to play a pivotal role in most of malignancy, including HCC, and in chronic inflammation. To investigate the angiogenic output in HCV and HBV infection and its implication in the development of HCV associated HCC. Blood samples were collected and grouped as; HS healthy subjects control group; HCC-HCV; chronic HCV infected patient group [HCV+ve] who are positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA; anti-HCV antibody positive and HCV-RNA negative patient group [HCV-ve]; patients with positive HBsAg and HBV-DNA group [HBV+ve]; and HBsAg positive and HBV-DNA negative patient group [HBV-ve]. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-2, endostatin and angiostatin were assessed in different studied groups