Osteopontin (OPN) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as predictive biomarkers in HCC receiving loco-regional treatment: Preliminary results

Background: OPN, a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target, is a multifunctional protein involved in the carcinogenesis, neoangiogenesis and metastasization in many solid neoplasms. IL-6 is a mediator of the immunologic response involved in the hepatocyte proliferation and carcinogenesis. The aim of our study was to analyse the potential correlation between blood levels of OPN, IL-6, IL-2, VEFG and clinical outcome in HCC patients receiving RFA. Methods: 14 patients diagnosed HCC and candidate to loco-regional treatment (RFA) with curative intent have been included in this study. Main inclusion criteria were: a solitary HCC smaller than 5 cm in diameter or multiple (no more than three) HCC smaller than 5 cm in total diameter; no extrahepatic metastasis; no radiologic evidence of invasion into the major portal/hepatic vein branches; good liver function with Child-Pugh Class A or B, with no history of encephalopathy, ascites refractory to diuretics or variceal bleeding; no previous treatment of HCC. Plasma levels of OPN, IL-6, IL-2, VEGF have been estimated through ELISA test in d0, before the loco-regional treatment and after 30 days. Patients with progressive disease at the first revaluation after RFA (15%), including local and new HCC sites in other hepatic segments, have been considered early progressors. Results: A statistically significant correlation between the basal levels of OPN and IL-6 (p = 0.001) has been observed, while there was no correlation between the IL-2 levels and VEGF. The levels of OPN and IL-6 resulted not significantly modified after the regional treatment compared to the basal. Levels of OPN and IL-6 increased significantly ( p = 0.022 and p = 0.013) in patients showing early progression after RFA. Conclusions: Although the limited sample size, we suggest that OPN IL-6 may be effective biomarkers for patients undergoing loco-regional treatment: OPN and IL-6 seemed in fact to able to predict response to treatment and to early identify the patients who may benefit from other anti-cancer treatments