Circulating cancer associated fibroblast and cancer stem cell markers as diagnostic and prognostic tools of hepatitis C induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Elzallat M.; Zoheiry M.; El-Ahwany E.; Abu-Taleb H.; Hassan M.; Madkour L.N.; Mabrouk R.R.; El Talkawy M.D.; Taha S.A.; Abd –Elaziz D.M.

Journal: Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal

Publisher: National Information and Documentation Center (NIDOC) Academy of Scientific Research and Technology

Publication Date: 24 August 2025

Volume / Issue: Volume 24 / Issue 4

Pages: 49–61

ISSN: 16874315

DOI: 10.21608/epj.2025.355774.1027

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Bronze Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Elzallat M., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Zoheiry M., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El-Ahwany E., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Abu-Taleb H., Enviromental Research Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Hassan M., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Madkour L.N., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Mabrouk R.R., Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; El Talkawy M.D., Hepatogastroenterology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Taha S.A., Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Abd –Elaziz D.M., Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background Several studies have been carried out on the crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and their roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis in various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and CAFs in these studies has typically been carried out based on their markers' expression in hepatic tumor tissues. Objective To detect CAFs and CSCs markers in peripheral blood, which can be used as non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tools for HCV induced fibrosis and carcinogenesis in Egyptian patients. Materials and methods A case-control study was conducted on 200 subjects. Four groups were included in the study: A) healthy control group, B) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) non-cirrhotic group, C) CHC-cirrhotic group and, D) CHC-HCC group. Peripheral blood detection of LCSC markers (CD133&CD44) was done by Flow-cytometer analysis, and ELISA was used to detect CAFs markers such as Collagen Type XI Alpha I Chain (COL11A1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Results and conclusion Significant difference in the level of CD133, CD44 and COL11A1 in CHC patients compared to the control group (<0.001). The level of previous markers increased with the progression of the disease. However, α-SMA level decreased in both the non-cirrhotic and HCC groups. Sensitivity of CD133 was 77.78% with specificity 88.24% followed by COL11A1 with higher sensitivity of 83.33%, but a slightly lower specificity of 73.33%. So, CD133 emerged as the most promising diagnostic marker for HCC, followed by COL11A1. Regular detection of CSCs and CAFs in circulation may aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of liver cirrhosis and HCC. © 2025 Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal.

Keywords

cancer associated fibroblasts; cancer stem cells; hepatitis C infection; Hepatocellular carcinoma; alpha actin; CD133 antigen; cell marker; collagen type 11; Hermes antigen; adult; Article; cancer associated fibroblast; cancer prognosis; cancer stem cell; case control study; controlled study; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; hepatitis C; human; liver cell carcinoma; major clinical study; male; sensitivity and specificity

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0

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