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Background <p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study investigates the potential of relative telomere length as a predictive biomarker in HCC patients, comparing non-DAA treatment groups with post-direct-acting antiviral (DAA).</p> Methods <p>Telomere length was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in tumor and adjacent non-tumorous tissues from 41 HCC patients, divided into de novo (<i>n</i> = 16) and post-DAA (<i>n</i> = 25) groups.</p> Results <p>The mean telomere length was significantly higher in tumor than non-tumorous tissues (3.39 ± 4.05 compared to 1.01 ± 0.04; <i>p</i> = 0.001). Mean telomere length varied significantly between groups, with non-DAA group showing higher tumor telomere length (5.15 ± 4.88) compared to post-DAA patients (2.26 ± 3.01). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed fair discriminatory ability in the non-DAA group (AUC 0.706, 95% CI: 0.524–0.888, <i>p</i> = 0.047). A significant correlation between tumor telomere length and carcinoembryonic antigen was observed in the post-DAA group. Non-DAA group showed more aggressive tumor grades, while post-DAA patients had better liver function. No significant association was found between relative telomere length and HCC risk.</p> Conclusion <p>Significant telomere length alterations and clinicopathological differences highlight molecular heterogeneity in HCV-related HCC, particularly post-DAA. While Relative telomere length (RTL) did not predict HCC risk, its correlations with tumor markers suggest potential as a prognostic biomarker, warranting further research in larger cohorts.</p>

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Relative telomer length as a potential biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparative study of HCV patients treated with direct antiviral agent

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月23日

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  • Marwa Helal,
  • Marwa Gamal,
  • Ashraf A. Basuni,
  • Walaa El Gendy,
  • Ashraf Khalil

摘要

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study investigates the potential of relative telomere length as a predictive biomarker in HCC patients, comparing non-DAA treatment groups with post-direct-acting antiviral (DAA).

Methods

Telomere length was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in tumor and adjacent non-tumorous tissues from 41 HCC patients, divided into de novo (n = 16) and post-DAA (n = 25) groups.

Results

The mean telomere length was significantly higher in tumor than non-tumorous tissues (3.39 ± 4.05 compared to 1.01 ± 0.04; p = 0.001). Mean telomere length varied significantly between groups, with non-DAA group showing higher tumor telomere length (5.15 ± 4.88) compared to post-DAA patients (2.26 ± 3.01). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed fair discriminatory ability in the non-DAA group (AUC 0.706, 95% CI: 0.524–0.888, p = 0.047). A significant correlation between tumor telomere length and carcinoembryonic antigen was observed in the post-DAA group. Non-DAA group showed more aggressive tumor grades, while post-DAA patients had better liver function. No significant association was found between relative telomere length and HCC risk.

Conclusion

Significant telomere length alterations and clinicopathological differences highlight molecular heterogeneity in HCV-related HCC, particularly post-DAA. While Relative telomere length (RTL) did not predict HCC risk, its correlations with tumor markers suggest potential as a prognostic biomarker, warranting further research in larger cohorts.