Assessment of serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer as a potential marker for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic hepatitis C patients.

Aim of the study: To assess the serum level of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer as a potential biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhotic patients.

Material and methods: Ninety patients were separated into two groups for the current research. Group I consisted of 45 patients with HCV that resulted in liver cirrhosis but no HCC. Group II consisted of 45 patients who had HCC and hepatic cirrhosis caused by HCV. Each patient underwent a complete clinical examination, thorough history taking, and laboratory tests, serum Mac-2 BPGI, abdominal ultrasound and triphasic computed tomography (CT) of the liver.

Results: Serum Mac-2 BPGI was significantly higher in group II than group I and was statistically significantly higher in patients with portal vein invasion and in patients with lymph node metastases than those without, there was a statistically significant difference between mean values of serum M2BPGI, the BCLC score was higher in group C, and also a significant positive relation between tumor size and serum M2BPGI was found.

Conclusions: Serum Mac-2 BPGI can be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers for HCC.