Characterization of The Type of Response to Different HCV Antigens and Quantification of Viral Load in Newly Diagnosed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood born virus that is considered a major cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. HCV is thought to induce HCC either indirectly or directly by the effect of its viral proteins on different host cell proteins and signaling pathways. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the type of response to different HCV antigens, quantify HCV viral load, transforming growth factor- beta and miRNA 122 in patients with newly diagnosed Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Patients and methods: This study was done on three groups: the first group consisted of 40 newly discovered hepatocellular carcinoma patients with HCV infection. The second group consisted of twenty HCV infected patients with other types of cancer (other than HCC). The third group consisted of 20 healthy individuals served as a control group. Serum was separated for detection of the four parameters. Results: TGF-β showed a very weak negative correlation with the miRNA 122 serum levels that is statistically non-significant. Results also showed that miRNA 122 may not be useful in differentiating between liver cirrhosis from HCC patients and it is associated with the severity of the disease rather than the viremia count. Conclusion: Study showed no correlation between the four investigated parameters (HCV antigens, HCV viral load, TGFβ- serum levels of miRNA 122) in an attempt for early diagnosis of HCV induced HCC.