Diagnostic Value of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-AB Circulating Levels in Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract Background: As a hypervascular tumor, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by neovascularization which plays an important role in its growth and progression. Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen and angiogenic factor that was found to be elevated in different cancers. Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-AB (PDGF-AB) is another factor implicated in enhanced proliferation and migration of pericytes and is a potent stim-ulator of angiogenesis in many tumors. Aim of Study: This study aimed to evaluate the circulating levels of bFGF and PDGF-AB and to examine their diagnostic significance in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-associated HCC. Methods: This study included one hundred subjects divided into healthy controls (n=25), HCV patients (n=25), and HCV-associated HCC patients (n=50). The levels of bFGF, PDGF-AB, and Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in addition to the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase as well as total bilirubin and albumin concentrations were determined in sera of the enrolled subjects. Results: Levels of bFGF and PDGF-AB were higher in HCC patients compared to controls and HCV patients and were found to be associated with increased susceptibility to HCV-associated HCC. Additionally, the diagnostic values of bFGF and PDGF-AB to distinguish HCC patients from non-cancerous patients were good, although they are still inferior to that of AFP. However, the combination of bFGF and PDGF-AB with AFP enhanced the efficacy of the latter. Conclusion: Serum bFGF and PDGF-AB may contribute to the pathogenesis of HCV-associated HCC, and they seem to be good diagnostic biomarkers of HCC along with AFP.