Serum Glypican-3, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Interleukin-6 Levels in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

OBJECTIVEThe current study was an investigation of the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),interleukin 6 (IL-6), and glypican 3 (GPC-3), as potential diagnostic and prognostic indicators in cirrhoticpatients and patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or who are predisposed to developHCC.METHODSA total of 54 HCC patients and 30 patients with cirrhosis were enrolled in this study. The pretreatmentserum level of GPC-3, VEGF, and IL-6 was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A control group of 21 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals was also included.RESULTSThe serum VEGF level was statistically significantly higher in the HCC patients compared with the controlgroup (p=0.001). The serum IL-6 level was also higher in the HCC patients (p=0.002) and the cirrhoticpatients (p=0.006) compared with the control group, with a statistically significant difference. Therewas also a statistically significant difference between patients with HCC and the patients with cirrhosis(p=0.001). Furthermore, the serum GPC-3 level was significantly higher in the HCC patients (p=0.009)and the cirrhotic patients (p=0.001) compared with the healthy control group.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first study to determine the serum values of these parameters in patientswith HCC and cirrhosis. They may be useful markers to help clinicians reach a diagnosis of HCC.