Biomarkers and Genetic Markers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma—What Do We Already Know

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with an increasing worldwide mortality rate. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer. In both types of cancers, early detection is very important. Biomarkers are a relevant part of diagnosis, enabling non-invasive detection and control of cancer recurrence, as well as in the application of screening tests in high-risk groups. Furthermore, some of these biomarkers are useful in controlling therapy and treatment selection. Detection of some markers presents higher sensitivity and specificity in combination with other markers when compared with a single detection. Some gene aberrations are also prognostic markers in the two types of cancers. In the following review, we discuss the most common biomarkers and genetic markers currently being used in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma: An Update on Pathology and Diagnostic Approach

“…More practical diagnostic standardization of cHCC-CCA would improve clinical management. Although minimally invasive biomarkers are available for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC and CCA [ 70 , 71 , 72 ], none exist for cHCC-CCA. More specific biomarkers and genetic markers that accelerate the detection of cHCC-CCAs are needed.…”

The Involvement of Human Papilloma Virus in Gastrointestinal Cancers

“…Primary liver cancer constitutes the 6th most prevalent cancer, as well as the 3rd leading cause of cancer death worldwide in 2020, with approximately 906,000 new cases and 830,000 deaths reported. Primary liver cancer includes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (reported as about 75–85% of the total number of cases) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (10–15%); other liver cancers constitute those of rare types [ 22 , 140 ]. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), aflatoxin-contaminated foods, and heavy alcohol intake are the main risk factors for HCC.…”

The development and validation of a novel senescence-related long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature that predicts prognosis and the tumor microenvironment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

“…The known traditional biomarkers of HCC, such as Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Glypican-3, Osteopontin and Des-γ-Carboxy Prothrombin, despite common use, are characterized by poor sensitivity and specificity (7,8). It is now believed that abnormal miRNA and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression plays an important role in the oncogenic role of HCC (9,10).…”