lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> LncRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their role in gene regulation of carcinogenesis and presence in biological fluids. Liquid biopsies offer a less invasive alternative to tissue biopsies, improving early cancer diagnosis and surveillance. He...

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Main Authors: Driéle B. dos Santos, Geysson J. Fernandez, Letícia T. Silva, Giovanni F. Silva, Estela O. Lima, Aline F. Galvani, Guilherme L. Pereira, Adriana C. Ferrasi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/5/348
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author Driéle B. dos Santos
Geysson J. Fernandez
Letícia T. Silva
Giovanni F. Silva
Estela O. Lima
Aline F. Galvani
Guilherme L. Pereira
Adriana C. Ferrasi
author_facet Driéle B. dos Santos
Geysson J. Fernandez
Letícia T. Silva
Giovanni F. Silva
Estela O. Lima
Aline F. Galvani
Guilherme L. Pereira
Adriana C. Ferrasi
author_sort Driéle B. dos Santos
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> LncRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their role in gene regulation of carcinogenesis and presence in biological fluids. Liquid biopsies offer a less invasive alternative to tissue biopsies, improving early cancer diagnosis and surveillance. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most lethal and prevalent cancers. Late diagnoses contribute to poor prognosis, particularly in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, which is a major risk factor for HCC. Tissue biopsies for HCC diagnosis pose risks, including tumor dissemination, highlighting the urgent need for noninvasive biomarkers. Several lncRNAs are deregulated in HCC and may be potential markers for assessing HCC risk in CHC. This study evaluated seven lncRNAs as plasma biomarkers for HCC risk in CHC. <b>Methods:</b> lncRNA expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR in three groups: CHC patients who developed HCC within a 5-year follow-up (HCCpos), CHC patients who did not develop HCC within a 5-year follow-up (HCCneg), and healthy blood donors (CG). <b>Results:</b> This study found that plasma lncRNAs HULC and RP11-731F5.2 are potential biomarkers for HCC risk, while RP11-731F5.2 and KCNQ1OT1 may serve as noninvasive biomarkers for liver damage due to HCV infection. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings highlight the potential of lncRNAs in enhancing early diagnosis and monitoring of HCC in CHC patients.
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spelling doaj-art-a6b775cd3a1845d5955b287bbefd28ac2025-08-20T01:56:25ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-05-0147534810.3390/cimb47050348lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis CDriéle B. dos Santos0Geysson J. Fernandez1Letícia T. Silva2Giovanni F. Silva3Estela O. Lima4Aline F. Galvani5Guilherme L. Pereira6Adriana C. Ferrasi7Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, BrazilGrupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas (BCEI), Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín 050010, ColombiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, BrazilDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, BrazilDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, BrazilDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, School of Veterinary e Animal Science (FMVZ), São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu 18618-681, SP, BrazilDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil<b>Background/Objectives:</b> LncRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their role in gene regulation of carcinogenesis and presence in biological fluids. Liquid biopsies offer a less invasive alternative to tissue biopsies, improving early cancer diagnosis and surveillance. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most lethal and prevalent cancers. Late diagnoses contribute to poor prognosis, particularly in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, which is a major risk factor for HCC. Tissue biopsies for HCC diagnosis pose risks, including tumor dissemination, highlighting the urgent need for noninvasive biomarkers. Several lncRNAs are deregulated in HCC and may be potential markers for assessing HCC risk in CHC. This study evaluated seven lncRNAs as plasma biomarkers for HCC risk in CHC. <b>Methods:</b> lncRNA expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR in three groups: CHC patients who developed HCC within a 5-year follow-up (HCCpos), CHC patients who did not develop HCC within a 5-year follow-up (HCCneg), and healthy blood donors (CG). <b>Results:</b> This study found that plasma lncRNAs HULC and RP11-731F5.2 are potential biomarkers for HCC risk, while RP11-731F5.2 and KCNQ1OT1 may serve as noninvasive biomarkers for liver damage due to HCV infection. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings highlight the potential of lncRNAs in enhancing early diagnosis and monitoring of HCC in CHC patients.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/5/348hepatocellular carcinomachronic hepatitis ClncRNAbiomarker
spellingShingle Driéle B. dos Santos
Geysson J. Fernandez
Letícia T. Silva
Giovanni F. Silva
Estela O. Lima
Aline F. Galvani
Guilherme L. Pereira
Adriana C. Ferrasi
lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
hepatocellular carcinoma
chronic hepatitis C
lncRNA
biomarker
title lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C
title_full lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C
title_fullStr lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C
title_full_unstemmed lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C
title_short lncRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk and Liver Damage in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C
title_sort lncrnas as biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma risk and liver damage in advanced chronic hepatitis c
topic hepatocellular carcinoma
chronic hepatitis C
lncRNA
biomarker
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/5/348
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