Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence among patients with direct-acting antiviral-induced HCV cure.
Journal
Scientific reports
Journal Volume
16
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
5757
ISSN
2045-2322
Date Issued
2026-01-19
Author(s)
Chang, Yu-Ping
Chen, Yun-Chu
Su, Tung-Hung
Huang, Shang-Chin
Tseng, Tai-Chung
Liu, Chen-Hua
Abstract
Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi), a promising biomarker for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was evaluated in predicting HCC occurrence after hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). 704 eligible patients underwent biannual surveillance, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and liver imaging studies, to detect HCC occurrence. Serum M2BPGi levels were measured at both pretreatment and sustained virologic response (SVR). The cumulative HCC incidence was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and risk factors by Cox proportional hazards models. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 50 patients (7.1%) developed HCC, with cumulative incidence rates of 7.8% and 12.8% at 5 and 10 years. HCC incidence was higher in patients with pretreatment M2BPGi ≥ 4.0 and SVR12 ≥ 2.0 (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified that M2BPGi levels ≥ 4.0 COI at pretreatment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-7.23, p = 0.002) and ≥ 2.0 COI at SVR (aHR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.16-5.79, p = 0.020) were significantly associated with HCC occurrence in addition to age, sex, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), alanine transaminase (ALT) quotient, and AFP. In conclusion, serum M2BPGi may serve as a valuable biomarker for HCC risk after HCV cure with DAAs.
Subjects
Biomarkers
Hepatitis C virus
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer
Type
journal article