Golgi Protein 73 versus Alpha-Fetoprotein as a New Biomarker in Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Figures & data

Table 1 Basic Data of the Study Population

Variables	HCC (N=30)^p1	Non-HCC (Chronic Hepatitis and Cirrhosis) (N=30)^p2	Control (N=30)^p3	p-value
Age in years
Mean±SD	63.7±8.1^b	59.9±9^c	38.7±7.4	<0.001
Median (IQR)	65 (47−80)	58 (45−75)	39 (22−56)
Gender, N (%)
Male	25 (83.3 %)	24 (80%)	18 (60%)	0.081
Female	5 (16.7%)	6 (20%)	12 (40%)
Viral infection, N (%)
HCV	22 (73.3%)	19 (63.3%)	–	0.091
HBV	8 (26.7%)	11 (36.7%)	–

Notes: Data are presented as mean±SD (standard deviation), median (range) or number (%). ^bp1 versus p3 <0.05; ^cp2 versus p3 <0.05.

Abbreviations: HCV, chronic hepatitis C; HBV, chronic hepatitis B.

Table 2 Laboratory Characteristics of the Study Population

Variables	HCC (N=30)^p1	Non-HCC Patients (Chronic Hepatitis and Cirrhosis) (N=30)^p2	Control (N=30)^p3	p-value
Albumin (g/dL)
Mean±SD	2.8±0.7^b	2.6±0.5^c	4.3±0.5	<0.001
Median (range)	2.6 (2.2−3.3)	2.5 (2.3−3.6)	4.2 (3.9−4.75)
Bilirubin (mg/dL)
Mean±SD	3.14±2.9^b	3.5±3.7^c	0.58±0.16	<0.001
Median (range)	2.9 (0.7−3.5)	2.2 (2.1−5.3)	0.5 (0.45−0.75)
AST (IU/L)
Mean±SD	54.2±15.8^b	48.1±8^c	23.8±6	<0.001
Median (range)	50.5 (36−95)	48 (33−62)	23 (17−34)
ALT (IU/L)
Mean±SD	68.3±20.2^b	65.5±20^c	25.4±5.4	<0.001
Median (range)	67 (42−111)	60 (42−102)	24 (18−32)
PT (seconds)
Mean±SD	16.8±6.7^b	16.6±1.8^c	12±0.8	<0.001
Median (range)	15.8 (14.9−17.1)	16.4 (15.5−18)	12 (11.3−12.8)

Notes: Data are presented as mean±SD (standard deviation) or median (range). ^bp1 versus p3 <0.05; ^cp2 versus p3 <0.05.

Abbreviations: AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; PT, prothrombin time.

Table 3 Biomarker Findings of the Study Population

Variables	HCC (N=30)^p1	Non-HCC Patients (Chronic Hepatitis and Cirrhosis) (N=30)^p2	Control (N=30)^p3	p-value
AFP
Mean±SD	1085.2±1465.4^a,b	22±19.6^a,c	1.24±0.38	<0.001
Median (IQR)	536.5 (8−4840)	21 (2.6–87)	1.1 (0.9−1.9)
GP73
Mean±SD	11.1±8.5^a,b	4.4±2.9^a,c	1.4±1.6	<0.001
Median (IQR)	8.9 (0.88−33)	3.3 (1.9−12.9)	0.6 (0.19−5.6)

Notes: Data are presented as mean±SD (standard deviation) or median (range). ^ap1 versus p2 <0.05; ^bp1 versus p3 <0.05; ^cp2 versus p3 <0.05.

Abbreviations:- AFP, alpha-fetoprotein; GP73, Golgi protein 73.

Table 4 The Area Under the Curve and Diagnostic Accuracy of AFP

Variable	AUC, 95% CI	P-value	Cut-Off Points	Sensitivity	Specificity	PPV	NPV
HCC versus control	0.85 (0.61–100.0)	0.001	≥2.4 ng/mL	75.4%	90%	88.3%	78.5%
HCC versus non-HCC patients	0.85 (0.80–0.90)	0.001	≥20.85 ng/mL	72.2%	86.2%	83.9%	75.9%

Abbreviations: HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; AUC, area under the curve; CI, confidence interval; PPV, positive predictive value; NPV, negative predictive value.

Figure 1 The area under the curve and diagnostic accuracy of AFP for HCC patients versus non-HCC patients (chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis).

Abbreviations: AFP, alpha-fetoprotein; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Table 5 The Area Under the Curve and Diagnostic Accuracy of GP73

Variable	AUC, 95% CI	p-value	Cut-Off Points	Sensitivity	Specificity	PPV	NPV
HCC versus control	0.96 (0.92–0.99)	0.001	≥8.4 ng/mL	86.7%	89%	88.7%	86.9%
HCC versus non-HCC patients	0.83 (0.72–0.93)	0.001	≥8.45 ng/mL	83.3%	84%	86.2%	81.5%

Abbreviations: HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; AUC, area under the curve; CI, confidence interval; PPV, positive predictive value; NPV, negative predictive value.

Figure 2 The area under the curve and diagnostic accuracy of GP73 for HCC patients versus non-HCC patients (chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis).

Abbreviations: GP73, Golgi protein 73; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Figure 3 The area under the curve and diagnostic accuracy of the combination of GP73 and AFP for HCC patients versus non-HCC patients (chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis).

Abbreviations: AFP, alpha-fetoprotein; GP73, Golgi protein 73; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma.