Salivary Metabolites are Promising Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Chronic Liver Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Improved tools are needed for detecting HCC so that treatment can begin as early as possible. Current diagnostic approaches and existing biomarkers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) lack sensitivity, resulting in too many false negative diagnoses. Machine-learning may be able to identify combinations of biomarkers that provide more robust predictions and improve sensitivity for detecting HCC. We sought to evaluate whether metabolites in patient saliva could distinguish those with HCC, cirrhosis, and those with no documented liver disease.

Methods and results

We tested 125 salivary metabolites from 110 individuals (43 healthy, 37 HCC, 30 cirrhosis) and identified 4 metabolites that dis

SUBMITTER: Hershberger CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8447405 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature