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Metabolic biomarkers associated with high risk for liver, biliary cancers

High concentrations of biomarkers for inflammation and hyperinsulinemia were associated with a high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and other cancers, according to recent study data.

Researchers conducted a case-control study — based on data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) between 2002 and 2006 — to determine biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic bile duct (IBD) and gallbladder and biliary tract cancers (GBTC) beyond the liver. Two hundred ninety-six patients developed GBTC (n=137), HCC (n=125) or IBD (n=34) during an average of 7.7 years, and were matched with controls in a 2:1 ratio. Measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-peptide, total high-molecular-weight (HMW), glutamatdehydrogenase (GLDH) and other serums were taken at baseline.

Greater levels of CRP (IRR=1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.46), IL-6 (IRR=1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.77), C-peptide (IRR=2.25; 95% CI, 1.43-3.54) and non-HMW adiponectin (IRR=2.09; 95% CI, 1.19-3.67) were associated with a risk for HCC. GLDH also was associated with a risk for HCC (IRR=1.62; 95% CI, 1.25-2.11) and IBD (IRR=10.5; 95% CI, 2.2-50.9), but not for GBTC (IRR=1.15; 95% CI, 0.95-1.4). CRP was associated with a risk for GBTC (IRR=1.22; 95% CI, 1.05-1.42), and remained significant after analyses of gallbladder cancer alone (IRR=1.55; 95% CI, 1.15-2.08). Biomarkers associated with the cancers remained significant after excluding cases that occurred during 2 years of follow-up, except for CRP and non-HMW adiponectin.

“Higher-circulating concentrations of IL-6, CRP, C-peptide, non-HMW adiponectin and GLDH were significantly associated with higher risk of HCC, independent of established liver cancer risk factors and obesity parameters,” the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.