Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer. Differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs)-326, miRNA-424, and miRNA-511 has been associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC in different populations. However, limited information is available regarding their expression in Egyptian HCC patients.
Aim: To assess the role of circulating miRNAs-326, miRNA-424, and miRNA-511 in Egyptian HCC patients.
Methods: This prospective observational study included 70 HCC patients and 25 healthy controls. The circulating levels of these three miRNAs were evaluated by real-time PCR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to test the diagnostic accuracy of microRNA expression levels.
Results: All miRNAs were differentially expressed in HCC patients; miRNAs326 and miRNA-424 were upregulated, while miRNA-511 was downregulated. Both miRNA-326 and miRNA-424 showed sensitivity and specificity of 97%, 71.4%, and 52%, 60%, respectively, to differentiate HCC from controls. Moreover, miRNA-326 was associated with survival and could differentiate between Child grades (A vs B); miRNA-424 significantly differentiated early vs intermediate stages of HCC; while miRNA-511 was significantly correlated with response to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST).
Conclusion: We conclude that miRNA-326, miRNA-424, and miRNA-511 have diagnostic and prognostic roles in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus-related HCC and should be considered for better disease management.
Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors; miRNA-424; miRNA-511; miRNAs-326.
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