title: Circulating microRNA-200 Family as Diagnostic Marker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this clinical study, we aimed to evaluate the role of circulating microRNA-200 family as a non-invasive tool to identify patients with cirrhosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Prognosis of HCC remains poor with increasing incidence worldwide, mainly related to liver cirrhosis. So far, no reliable molecular targets exist for early detection of HCC at surgically manageable stages. Recently, we identified members of the microRNA-200 family as potential diagnostic markers of cirrhosis-associated HCC in patient tissue samples. Their value as circulating biomarkers for HCC remained undefined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples and clinicopathological data of consecutive patients with liver diseases were collected prospectively. Expression of the microRNA-200 family was investigated by qRT-PCR in blood serum samples of 22 HCC patients with and without cirrhosis. Serum samples of patients with non-cancerous chronic liver cirrhosis (n = 22) and of healthy volunteers (n = 15) served as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MicroRNA-141 and microRNA-200a were significantly downregulated in blood serum of patients with HCC compared to liver cirrhosis (p<0.007) and healthy controls (p<0.002). MicroRNA-141 and microRNA-200a could well discriminate patients with cirrhosis-associated HCC from healthy volunteers with area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.85 and 0.82, respectively. Additionally, both microRNAs could differentiate between HCC and non-cancerous liver cirrhosis with a fair accuracy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating microRNA-200 family members are significantly deregulated in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis. Further studies are necessary to confirm the diagnostic value of the microRNA-200 family as accurate serum marker for cirrhosis-associated HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Sameer A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Dhayat
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hüsing
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Senninger
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Hartmut H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center Muenster, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haier
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Heiner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wolters
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Iyad
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kabar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C533895:MIRN141 microRNA, human; C533896:MIRN200 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs