Serum‐Based miRNA Panel as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Hepatitis C Virus‐Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for more than 90% of primary hepatic cancer. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the contributing factors for HCC development. miRNAs are non‐coding RNAs and are also involved in HCV replication. Expression variability of miRNA has also been reported in various cancers, including HCC. Methods By using different bioinformatics tools, panels of serum‐based miRNA, including miR‐1 , miR −200b, miR −320d, miR‐346, and miR −451a, were selected to investigate their role in HCV and HCV‐HCC. Furthermore, RT‐PCR was employed to confirm their regulation pattern in relation to the NF‐KB and IL‐6 in various study groups, including GI=control, GII = HCV, GIII = HCV_HCC, and GIV = HCC. Results The expression levels of miR‐1, miR‐346, and miR‐451 were significantly downregulated in GII and GIII compared with GI. However, upregulated expression was observed against miR‐200b, miR‐320d, NF‐κB, and IL‐6 in GIII when compared with GI. In GIII, miR‐451a ( r = 0.6, p < 0.02) was found to have a positive association with NF‐κB, while miR‐1 ( r = −0.7, p < 0.003) has a negative association with IL‐6. ROC analysis revealed that the selected miRNAs, along with their related biomarkers, have enhanced the overall sensitivity and specificity (88% and 0.6%) of the GIII group compared to the GI group. Conclusion The selected panel of miRNAs has served as diagnostic biomarkers against HCV‐HCC.