Early detective biomarkers versus mriin assessment of hepatic focal lesions and early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients

Abstract EN

Cirrhosis is ihe conséquence of a chronic diffuse parenchymal injury to ihe liver which cames cellidar necrosis and an inflammalory response.

The cirrhotic liver is therefore hy définition composed of a multUude of nodules.

MRI of the liver is an important lool for détection and characterization of focal liver lésions and for the évaluation of diffuse liver disease.

The use of epigenetic biomurkers is a noninvasive approach for early détection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients.

Patients and methods: Thirty cirrhotic patients with hepatic focal lésions out of 250 patients subjected to the following investigations: HCV anti-bodies, HBs antigen , Alfa fetoprotein (AFP).

Methylated gene pl5 and Adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) in sérum by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Liver biopsy, Abdominal Ultrasound, Doppler US and MRI diffusion abdomen.

Results: iVlRI is the best imaging modality in détection and characterization of hepatic focai lésions and early diagnosis of HCC, methylated genepl5 is more sensitive and specific than MRI in deleclion of HCC.

An insignificant relationship was observed between âge and methylated gene pl5 and APC gene (p=0.765), (p=0.305) respectively.

Furthur more an insignificant relationship was fmnd belween gender and methylated gene pl5 and APC gene (p^O.593), (p=0.617) respectively.

An insignificant relationship was also observed between residence and methylated gene pl5 and APC gene (p=0.862), (p=0.745) respectively.

On the other hand a significant relationship was observed between methylated gene pl5 and HCV positive patients (p=0.004) as well as between methylated gene pi5 and AFP (p=0.003).

An insignificant relationship observed between APC gene and HCV positive patients (p=0.098) and AFP (p=0.236).

Also an insignificant relationship between methylated gene pl5, APC gene and MRI in diagnosis of HCC (p=^0.091), (p=0.429j respectively.

Conclusion: Methylated genes are more sensitive than MRI in détection of HCC.

Methylated gene pl5 and APC gene have insignificant relationship to âge, sex and residency.

Methylated gene pI5 has significant relationship to HCV positive patients and AFP.

Insignificant relationship between methylated gene pI5, APC gene and MRI in diagnosis of HCC.

Key words : Liver cirrhosis, MRI, HCC, Methylated gene pI5, APC gene.