Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β 1) as Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in HCV Related Liver Cirrhosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most serious complications of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, evaluation of biomarkers that predicts early the occurrence of HCC in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced liver cirrhosis is of great clinical value from the diagnostic and prognostic points of view. Aim: The aim of this work was to study serum levels of TGF-beta 1 and VEGF in cirrhotic HCV patients with and without HCC. Subjects and methods: This research was conducted on 30 patients with chronic HCV and liver cirrhosis (Group I), 30 patients with HCC on top of HCV induced liver cirrhosis (Group II) and 20 healthy controls.. Serum TGF-beta 1 and VEGF were measured by ELISA. Results: Mean VEGF and TGF-beta 1 levels were significantly higher in patients (Groups I and II) than controls. Furthermore, their values were significantly higher in HCC cases (Group II) than in those with liver cirrhosis (Group I). Significant positive correlations were noticed between each of TGF-beta 1 and VEGF and Child Pugh score (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistically significant positive correlations were observed between size of hepatic focal lesions and each of TGF-beta 1 and VEGF in group II patients (p < 0.05) Conclusion: Serum TGF-beta 1 and VEGF reflect well the degree of hepatic dysfunction. Their serial measurements might be of diagnostic and predictive value for occurrence of HCC in patients with chronic HCV induced liver cirrhosis. [Ayman El Shayeb, Akram Deghady, Abdel-Aziz Belal and Salah Eldin-Eldesoky Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) as Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in HCV Related Liver Cirrhosis]. Life Science Journal. 2011;8(4):198-204] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.