Muhammad Aftab1, Aqsa Shafiq2 and Dr. Muhammad Zubair Yousaf3
1Department of Pathology and pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, china 2Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Pakistan 3Department of Molecular Pathology and Genomic, School of Biological Sciences. Forman Christian College Lahore, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: mzubairyousaf@fccollege.edu.pk
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer that is often detected at an advanced stage, resulting in high mortality rates. Current diagnostic procedures for HCC have low efficacy, highlighting the need for non-invasive, early detection methods. Several molecular markers have been identified for HCC occurrence, including Alpha fetoprotein (AFP), hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load, and methylation of tumour suppressor genes (RASSF1A). The aim of this study is to analyse these molecular markers and their correlation for the non-invasive, early detection of HCC. The study included three groups: a control group (healthy individuals), chronic HCV patients, and HCC diagnosed patients. Patient histories were recorded, including liver function tests, age, gender, and viral load (for HCV patients). Methylation was detected using Methylation Specific PCR. The study analysed fifty blood samples. Correlations were found between AFP and viral load, as well as between liver enzymes and AFP. Methylation was detected in HCC patients, but not in the other two groups. The study found that 20% of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) patients had methylation, which is a lower percentage than previous studies that reported 50% methylation in blood samples from HCC patients. The study also found that there are direct relationships between AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) and viral load, as well as between liver function enzymes, which supports previous research. Patients with HCV (hepatitis C virus) who have high viral load and AFP should receive antiviral therapy and regular monitoring. This study highlights the potential for non-invasive methods to detect HCC and emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment to improve patient outcomes.