الفهرس 
The significance of hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-122-5p in HCV related hepatocellular carcinoma and its relation to directly acting antivirals among Egyptian patients
AbstractOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 172 |  |  |
| | | from | 172 | | |
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide due to many reasons, most commonly due to lack of reliable diagnostic markers at the early stage. In this context, serum miRNAs became promising diagnostic biomarkers. chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is the most common cause of HCC in Egypt. Introduction of the new direct acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the management of HCV worldwide, with high rates of sustained virologic response in patients who could not have tolerated the previous interferon based treatments. However, recently there have been reports raising caution about the long term effects of DAAs, particularly a possible increased risk of HCC.Aim: We aimed to identify the diagnostic value of three miRNAs (miRNA 122-5p, miRNA 21-5p and miRNA 222-3p) in plasma of Egyptian patients with HCC preceded by chronic HCV infection without prior exposure to any HCV treatment and in patients with HCC preceded by DAAs utilization. Extraction of circulating miRNAs hsa- miRNA 122-5p, hsa-miRNA 21-5p and hsa-miRNA 222-3p from serum was done using the RNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit from (Qiagen, Germany) and were examined by qRT-PCR to assess the expression levels of the chosen miRNAs in plasma samples collected from three groups; 50 patients with HCC related to HCV, 50 with HCC post DAAs and 20 healthy volunteers. This study revealed that the mean plasma values of miRNA 21 were significantly lower among HCC post DAA group when compared to HCC related HCV without prior exposure to DAAs and control groups (P < 0.001). There was a significant reduction of serum expression of miRNA 122 -5p in HCC post DAA group when compared to the control group and HCC related to HCV without prior exposure to DAAs group (P= 0.0001).. Whereas, miR-222-3p mean plasma values were significantly higher among both HCC groups when compared to the control group (P = 0.01). As regards miRNA 222-3p, it can be used as a predictor for the development of HCC in both HCC groups, while the accuracy of AFP to diagnose HCC was limited in diagnosis