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Circulating DNA methylation profile improves the accuracy of serum biomarkers for the detection of nonmetastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

In Future oncology (London, England)

Aim: This study exploited hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-specific circulating DNA methylation profiles to improve the accuracy of a current screening assay for HCC patients in high-risk populations. Methods: Differentially methylated regions in cell-free DNA between 58 nonmetastatic HCC and 121 high-risk patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis were identified and used to train machine learning classifiers. Results: The model could distinguish HCC from high-risk non-HCC patients in a validation cohort, with an area under the curve of 0.84. Combining these markers with the three serum biomarkers (AFP, lectin-reactive AFP, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin) in a commercial test, μTASWako®, achieved an area under the curve of 0.87 and sensitivity of 68.8% at 95.8% specificity. Conclusion: HCC-specific circulating DNA methylation markers may be added to the available assay to improve the early detection of HCC.

Phan Thanh Hai, Chi Nguyen Van Thien, Thi Pham Thu Thuy, Nguyen Van-Chu, Ho Tan Dat, Quynh Pham Thi Mong, Tran Thanh-Huong, Nguyen Thanh Dat, Khang Le Nguyen Duy, Nguyen Trong-Hieu, Duong Minh-Long, Bach Hoai-Phuong Thi, Kim Van-Vu, Pham The-Anh, Nguyen Bao Toan, Vo Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Thanh Dang, Bieu Phu Dung Thai, Huu Phan Boi Hoan, Nguyen Duy-Sinh, Truong Dinh-Kiet, Do Thanh-Thuy Thi, Giang Hoa, Nguyen Hoai-Nghia, Phan Minh-Duy, Tran Le Son

2023-Feb-14

DNA methylation, GALAD, cell-free DNA, circulating tumor DNA, early detection, hepatocellular carcinoma, machine learning, μTASWako