Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Biomarkers of Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Novel Sunshine Road

Krizia Pocino
,
Cecilia Napodano
ORCID logo ,
Gabriele Ciasca
,
Mariapaola Marino
,
Nicoletta De Matthaeis
,
Luca Miele
,
Francesca Gulli
,
Raffaele Saporito
,
Gian Ludovico Rapaccini
,
Umberto Basile
* ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 29 September 2021 / Approved: 29 September 2021 / Online: 29 September 2021 (16:04:06 CEST)

How to cite: Pocino, K.; Napodano, C.; Ciasca, G.; Marino, M.; De Matthaeis, N.; Miele, L.; Gulli, F.; Saporito, R.; Rapaccini, G.L.; Basile, U. Biomarkers of Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Novel Sunshine Road. Preprints 2021, 2021090502. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202109.0502.v1 Pocino, K.; Napodano, C.; Ciasca, G.; Marino, M.; De Matthaeis, N.; Miele, L.; Gulli, F.; Saporito, R.; Rapaccini, G.L.; Basile, U. Biomarkers of Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Novel Sunshine Road. Preprints 2021, 2021090502. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202109.0502.v1

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health problem associated with chronic liver disease. The pathogenesis of chronic liver disease varies according to the underlying etiological factor, although in most cases it develops from a liver cirrhosis. The worsening progression of liver disease is accompanied by pathological angiogenesis, which is a prerequisite that favors the development of HCC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical utility of circulating angiogenic markers VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, the Angiopoietin receptor (Tie1/2), HGF and PECAM-1 to screen early onset patients and to follow the evolution of HCC. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 62 patients; 33 out of 62 subjects were diagnosed for HCC and 29/62 for liver cirrhosis of different etiology without signs of neoplasia. Patients underwent venous blood sampling before and after treatments for VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, Tie1, Tie2, HGF and PECAM-1 measurement. Results: Ang-1 and Ang-2 are detectable not only in patients already suffering from HCC but also in cirrhotic patients without signs of cancer. Patients with HCC show higher HGF concentrations than patients with cirrhosis. A significant reduction in serum levels of Ang-2, Ang-2/Ang-1 and Ca 19-9 after DAAs therapy was observed. Moreover, VEGF levels were increased after treatment of HCC. Conclusion: The preliminary study here presented confirms that the mechanism of tumor angiogenesis is very complex and involves a very large number of factors. The integration of different methodologies and multi-marker algorithms is likely to emerge for the early diagnosis of HCC and the monitoring of the risk of relapse.

Keywords

Hepatocellular carcinoma; cirrhosis; neoangiogenesis factors

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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