Circulating AFP mRNA as a Possible Indicator of Hematogenous Spread of HCC Cells: A Possible Association with HBV Infection.

Abstract

Using nested RT-PCR assay, circulating AFP mRNA could be detected in HCC patients without clinical evidence of extra-hepatic metastasis as well as in patients with LC. Although the possibility of hematogenous spread of HCC cells cannot be excluded, AFP mRNA expression in blood does not necessarily distinguish between circulating HCC cells and noncancerous hepatocytes. Although this is a small sample size pilot study, our findings imply that HBV infection may be an important contributing factor to the hematogenous spread of HCC cells. HBV infection was strongly associated with AFP mRNA expression in blood of HCC patients. Thorough investigation of this association in a larger series with HBV infection is needed. Also, another larger treated HCC series is needed for the assessment of AFP mRNA expression in blood in relation to specified treatment approaches. Key Words: AFP mRNA , Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) , RT-PCR , Chronic liver disease (CLD).