Innovative Blood Tests for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Liquid Biopsy and Evaluation of Systemic Inflammatory Reaction

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumour associated with dismal prognosis. To improve the outcome, early diagnostics is important. At present, classical HCC diagnostics is based on evaluation of risk factors, surveillance in cirrhotic patients, preference for non-invasive diagnosis by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy confirmation in controversial cases. However, ambiguous radiological presentation, biopsy-related complications or insufficient representation of the pathology in the tissue core are well-known problems. Panel assessment of microRNAs has diagnostic and prognostic value; thus, in future, microRNA-based liquid biopsy could partially reduce the need for core biopsies. Systemic inflammatory reaction (SIR), characterised mainly by neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and Glasgow prognostic score, may have prognostic value and can be incorporated in criteria for certain treatment approaches, e.g., becoming an adjunct to Milan criteria. Thus, innovations in HCC diagnostics are expected in the field of miRNA-based liquid biopsy for diagnosis/prognosis and SIR for prognosis/selection of treatment.

Adipose mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy: Anticancer molecular mechanisms in hepatoma model and bone marrow

“…Neutrophil activation can lead to angiogenesis and increased blood vessel permeability. Furthermore, immature myeloid cells and neutrophil extracellular traps may promote tumor growth (Strumfa et al, 2018). The increase in the I: Mg ratio in the HCC groups supported myeloid hyperplasia rather than erythroid hyperplasia in the present investigation, which was most likely attributable to an increase in neutrophilic precursor cells (Trópia de Abreu et al, 2011).…”