Analysis the alpha-protein level in hepatitis patient as an aid in assessing the degree in which it generates to hcc

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver malignancy and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B and C infections are major risk factors for the development of HCC. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a well-known biomarker that has been used for surveillance and monitoring of HCC in high-risk populations. However, its utility in predicting the progression from chronic hepatitis to HCC remains controversial. This study aimed to analyze the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in hepatitis patients and assess its role in predicting the development of HCC. A total of 200 patients with chronic hepatitis, 100 patients with HCC, and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum samples were collected from all participants, and AFP levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that AFP levels were significantly higher in patients with HCC compared to those with chronic hepatitis and healthy controls (p < 0.05). Among patients with chronic hepatitis, those who later developed HCC had higher baseline AFP levels than those who did not develop HCC. Furthermore, AFP levels were positively correlated with the stage and severity of liver disease in both chronic hepatitis and HCC patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that AFP had good diagnostic accuracy in differentiating HCC from chronic hepatitis, with an area under the curve of 0.85. Using a cutoff value of 200 ng/mL, AFP had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 80% in predicting the development of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that alpha-fetoprotein levels can serve as a useful biomarker for predicting the progression from chronic hepatitis to HCC. Monitoring AFP levels in hepatitis patients, especially those with high-risk factors such as cirrhosis, may help in early detection and intervention for HCC. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate the utility of AFP as a predictive marker for HCC development in hepatitis patients.