CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM DIKKOPF 1 (DKK1) AS A DIAGNOSTIC MARKER FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Hoda G.Bakr; Ola M.Elfarargy; Amina M. Elnaggar

Volume : V, Issue : VII, July - 2016

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM DIKKOPF 1 (DKK1) AS A DIAGNOSTIC MARKER FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Hoda G. Bakr, Ola M. Elfarargy, Amina M. Elnaggar

Abstract :

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the commonest cancers worldwide. It is a major health problem and its incidence is increasing. Dickkopf–1 (DKK1) is a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, which plays an important role in proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis and cell mortality. DKK1 has a potential oncogenic role in carcinogenesis. Aim of the study: Was to assess the expression of DKK1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance. Subjects and Methods: This study comprised 50 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, 40 males and 10 females, their ages ranged from 46–72 years, and control group: included 25 healthy individual, 16 males and 9 females, their ages ranged from 44–67. All participants were subjected to clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations; complete blood picture, liver & kidney function tests, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and DKK1. Results: There was increased level of serum DKK1 in all HCC patient, with increased level in advanced than early stages. Increased AFP level was found in only 66% of patients while 34% of patients were AFP negative. Conclusion: Combination of serum α–fetoprotein with serum DKK1 could further improve the diagnostic accuracy in HCC. DKK–1 might be a key regulator in HCC progression and a potential therapeutic target in HCC