Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer as a novel predictor of early recurrence after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently recurs after radical resection, resulting in a poor prognosis. This study assessed the prognostic value of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) for early recurrence (ER) in patients with HCC.

Patients who underwent radical resection for HCC between 2015 and 2021. HCC recurrence within one year after curative resection was defined as ER.

The 150 patients were divided into two groups: non-ER (116, 77.3%) and ER (34, 22.7%). The ER group had a lower overall survival rate (p < 0.0001) and significantly higher levels of M2BPGi (1.06 vs. 2.74 COI, p < 0.0001) than the non-ER group. High M2BPGi levels (odds ratio [OR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31–2.41, p < 0.0001) and a large tumor size (OR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.05–1.63; p = 0.0184) were identified as independent predictors of ER. M2BPGi was the best predictor of ER according to a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (area under the ROC curve 0.82, p < 0.0001).

M2BPGi can predict ER after surgery and is useful for risk stratification in patients with HCC.