Potential Role of the Tie2/ Angiopoietin System in Hepatitis C Virus- Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

The Tie2/Ang pathway was found to be involved in forming tumor blood vessels in various tumors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the value of Tie2/Ang pathway as a novel biomarkers for the early detection of chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). And the possibility of their future application in HCC treatment.

METHODS

Flow cytometry was performed to identify and count Tie2 expressing monocytes (TEMs) in peripheral blood monocytes from HCC patients (n = 25), CHC cirrhotic patients (n = 25) and healthy volunteers (n = 25). In addition, Angiopoietin 1 and 2 (Ang) levels in the serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA).

RESULTS

Percentage of TEMs in peripheral blood monocytes, serum Ang2 levels and Ang2/Ang1 ratio significantly increased in HCC patients compared with CHC patients and healthy controls (P< 0.001). However significant increase was only noticed in serum Ang1 levels in HCC group compared to the control group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TEMs may promote angiogenesis in HCC regarding the Ang2/Tie2 signal pathway. Percentage of TEMs in peripheral blood monocytes, Ang2 serum levels and Ang2/Ang1 ratio may be applied as a biomarkers for identifying CHC-related HCC. Moreover, inhibiting the proangiogenic functions of this pathway may represent a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of current treatments for HCC.