Serum Wisteria Floribunda Agglutinin-Positive Mac-2 Binding Protein Values Predict the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma among Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C after Sustained Virological Response

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 12;10(6):e0129053. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129053. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Measurement of Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2 binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) in serum was recently shown to be a noninvasive method to assess liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of serum WFA+-M2BP values to predict the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) by interferon treatment. For this purpose, we retrospectively analyzed 238 patients with SVR who were treated with interferon in our department. Serum WFA+-M2BP values were measured at pre-treatment (pre-Tx), post-treatment (24 weeks after completion of interferon; post-Tx), the time of HCC diagnosis, and the last clinical visit. Of 238 patients with SVR, HCC developed in 16 (6.8%) patients. The average follow-up period was 9.1 years. The cumulative incidence of HCC was 3.4% at 5 years and 7.5% at 10 years. The median pre-Tx and post-Tx WFA+-M2BP values were 1.69 (range: 0.28 to 12.04 cutoff index (COI)) and 0.80 (range: 0.17 to 5.29 COI), respectively. The WFA+-M2BP values decreased significantly after SVR (P < 0.001). The median post-Tx WFA+-M2BP value in patients who developed HCC was significantly higher than that in patients who did not (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis disclosed that age (> 60 years), sex (male), pre-Tx platelet count (< 15.0×10(3)/μL), and post-Tx WFA+-M2BP (> 2.0 COI) were associated with the development of HCC after SVR. Conclusion: Post-Tx WFA+-M2BP (> 2.0 COI) is associated with the risk for development of HCC among patients with SVR. The WFA+-M2BP values could be a new predictor for HCC after SVR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / blood*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Plant Lectins / blood*
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, N-Acetylglucosamine / blood*
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Plant Lectins
  • Receptors, N-Acetylglucosamine
  • TAA90K protein, human
  • wisteria lectin

Grants and funding

This study was supported in part by Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants for Research on Hepatitis from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.