title: Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): An Update.
abstract: The past decades have witnessed increased use of biomarkers in disease management. A biomarker is any characteristic that can be objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological process, pathogenic process, or pharmacological response to a therapeutic intervention. The clinical measurements of biomarkers can be carried out in vivo using imaging modalities like ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as in vitro utilizing serum or plasma or other body fluids as specimens. In contrast to the imaging modalities, a prominent value of serum biomarkers is that they could be biologically relevant and disease-specific to pathophysiologic or pathologic process of disease development. This article provides an update of serum biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in risk assessment for early detection through surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Wako Life Sciences, Inc., Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA. daijunli@verizon.net.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Wako Life Sciences, Inc., Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satomura
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: AFP-L3; AFP-L3 clinical performance; Alpha-fetoprotein isoforms; Chip-based microfluidic assay; Chronic hepatitis; Cirrhosis; DCP clinical performance; Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP); HCC; HCC biomarkers; HCC risk factors; Level of evidence; Liver fibrosis