Circulating MicroRNAs, miR-122, miR-148a, and miR-194, in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Emerging from a Chronic HCV Infection Background

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major health problem in Egypt. HCC can be considered as a common complication of chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the two major causes of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. The discovery of the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in hepatocarcinogenesis represents an important area of investigation for the development of their clinical applications. Aim of the Work: This study aimed to determine the levels of miR-122, miR-148a and miR-194 in HCC patients on top of Hepatitis C virus. Methodology and Principal Findings: Real time RT-PCR was done on blood samples which taken from 30 HCC patients on top of Hepatitis C virus after separation of serum. Also 50 blood samples from controls were separated for detection of: miR-122, miR-148a and miR-194 by the same technique. The mean values of miR-122, miR-148a and miR-194 were significantly overexpressed in HCC patients compared with healthy control subjects [(p 0.001) (p=0.0019) (p=0.002) repectively]. Conclusion: MiR-122, miR-148a and miR-194 are overexpressed in HCC patients on top of HCV.