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BMC Gastroenterology
Published in: BMC Gastroenterology 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Cancer Biomarker | Research article

VWF/ADAMTS13 ratio as a potential biomarker for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Authors: Hiroaki Takaya, Tadashi Namisaki, Mitsuteru Kitade, Kosuke Kaji, Keisuke Nakanishi, Yuki Tsuji, Naotaka Shimozato, Kei Moriya, Kenichiro Seki, Yasuhiko Sawada, Soichiro Saikawa, Shinya Sato, Hideto Kawaratani, Takemi Akahane, Ryuichi Noguchi, Masanori Matsumoto, Hitoshi Yoshiji

Published in: BMC Gastroenterology | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

To investigate the von Willebrand factor to ADAMTS13 ratio as a potential biomarker for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis.

Methods

Serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-fetoprotein-L3%), vascular endothelial growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, as well as the plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (von Willebrand factor: Ag) and ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13:AC), were evaluated in 41 cirrhotic patients with HCC undergoing radiofrequency ablation and in 20 cirrhotic patients without HCC. The diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results

The von Willebrand factor: Ag and von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratios were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with HCC than in those without HCC (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas ADAMTS13:AC was significantly lower in those with HCC than those without HCC (p < 0.05). However, no relationship was observed between the von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio and serum tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, and alpha-fetoprotein-L3%. Multivariate regression analysis identified von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio and alpha-fetoprotein-L3% as significant factors of HCC development. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio and alpha-fetoprotein-L3% had a better performance than alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, alpha-fetoprotein-L3%, vascular endothelial growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, von Willebrand factor: Ag, and ADAMTS13:AC. The von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio was exclusively correlated with tumor volume and stage as well as serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels.

Conclusions

The von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio can potentially serve as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients.
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Metadata
Title
VWF/ADAMTS13 ratio as a potential biomarker for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors
Hiroaki Takaya
Tadashi Namisaki
Mitsuteru Kitade
Kosuke Kaji
Keisuke Nakanishi
Yuki Tsuji
Naotaka Shimozato
Kei Moriya
Kenichiro Seki
Yasuhiko Sawada
Soichiro Saikawa
Shinya Sato
Hideto Kawaratani
Takemi Akahane
Ryuichi Noguchi
Masanori Matsumoto
Hitoshi Yoshiji
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Gastroenterology / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-230X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-019-1082-1

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