Detection and validity of long non-coding RNAs HOST2, HOTAIR, HOXA-AS2, and MALAT1 as biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) could contribute significantly to HCC development through diverse mechanisms, such as the recruitment of many regulatory protein complexes. This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of the lncRNAs HOST2, HOTAIR, HOXA-AS2, and MALAT1 in liver cirrhosis and HCC and also assess their diagnostic performance as biomarkers for HCC.

Methods

In total, 180 participants were in this study, classified into three groups (60 participants in each): Group I (hepatocellular carcinoma patients), Group II (liver cirrhosis patients), and Group III (apparently healthy individuals). The expressions of the HOST2, HOTAIR, HOXA-AS2, and MALAT1 lncRNAs were detected using a reverse-transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

The expression levels of HOST2, HOTAIR, HOXA-AS2, and MALAT1 lncRNAs were markedly increased in the HCC patients compared with those in the cirrhotic patients and controls. They also exhibited greater sensitivity as diagnostic biomarkers than alpha-fetoprotein.

Conclusions

The HOTAIR, HOST2, HOXA-AS2, and MALAT1 lncRNAs exhibit promising potential as valuable diagnostic biomarkers of HCC and in differentiating HCC from liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, combining alpha-fetoprotein can yield higher accuracy.