A B S T R A C T
In the search for serum markers of hepatocellular cancer, several studies try to find a non￾invasive marker for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to facilitate the diagnosis
and avoid the harmful complications of liver biopsy. Investigators have focused on Golgi
protein 73 (GP73); also known as Golgi membrane protein 1 (Golm1) or Golgi
Phosphoprotein 2 (Golph2) as non-invasive, available and inexpensive marker for the
diagnosis of HCC. The present study aimed to evaluate the serum GP-73 mRNA expression
as a marker for HCC diagnosis among Egyptian patients versus alpha fetoprotein. Subjects
and Methods: The patients selected from the Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious
Diseases Department and from Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit of Internal Medicine
Department, Benha University Hospital. Subjects were classified into three groups: Group I
: Included 20 apparently healthy subjects. Group II: Included 20 cirrhotic patients and not
complicated by HCC, Group III: Included 40 patients diagnosed as liver cirrhosis
complicated by HCC. The serum Golgi Protein 73 (GP73) mRNA was determined by
semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results: GP-73mRNA was highly significant higher in HCC
patients in comparison to cirrhotic and the control group (P < 0.001). ROC for AFP
revealed that the best cut-off value is (>48ng/ml), at this point the sensitivity was 90 %, specificity was 90% and AUC was 0.96. However the ROC for GP-73mRNA expression
revealed that the best cut-off value is (>5.11) at this point the sensitivity was 97.5%,
specificity was 100% and AUC was 0.99. In conclusion, increased GP-73 mRNA
expression could be associated with the presence of HCC and the serum Gp73 mRNA
expression was more sensitive and more specific than AFP