Wu ST, Zhu L, Feng XL, Wang HY, Li F. Strategies for discovering novel hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers. World J Hepatol 2025; 17(2): 101201 [DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i2.101201]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Fang Li, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of General Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, No. 118 Xingguang Avenue, Liangjiang New District, Chongqing 401147, China. leef123456@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Review
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Hepatol. Feb 27, 2025; 17(2): 101201 Published online Feb 27, 2025. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i2.101201
Strategies for discovering novel hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers
Shi-Tao Wu, Li Zhu, Xiao-Ling Feng, Hao-Yu Wang, Fang Li
Shi-Tao Wu, Hao-Yu Wang, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 401147, China
Li Zhu, Xiao-Ling Feng, Fang Li, Department of General Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 401147, China
Author contributions: Wu ST conceptualized the review, conducted the literature search, and drafted the initial manuscript; Zhu L contributed to the critical analysis of the literature and provided significant revisions to the manuscript; Feng XL assisted in the data interpretation and helped in organizing the structure of the review; Wang HY contributed to the sections on emerging technologies and future directions and provided expert input on the clinical implications. Li F as the corresponding author, oversaw the entire project, coordinated contributions from all authors, and finalized the manuscript for submission. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Fang Li, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of General Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, No. 118 Xingguang Avenue, Liangjiang New District, Chongqing 401147, China. leef123456@163.com
Received: September 9, 2024 Revised: November 13, 2024 Accepted: December 23, 2024 Published online: February 27, 2025 Processing time: 165 Days and 23.2 Hours
Abstract
Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a significant global health challenge due to its high mortality rate and late-stage diagnosis. The discovery of reliable biomarkers is crucial for improving early detection and patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current and emerging biomarkers for HCC, including alpha-fetoprotein, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin, glypican-3, Golgi protein 73, osteopontin, and microRNAs. Despite advancements, the diagnostic limitations of existing biomarkers underscore the urgent need for novel markers that can detect HCC in its early stages. The review emphasizes the importance of integrating multi-omics approaches, combining genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to develop more robust biomarker panels. Such integrative methods have the potential to capture the complex molecular landscape of HCC, offering insights into disease mechanisms and identifying targets for personalized therapies. The significance of large-scale validation studies, collaboration between research institutions and clinical settings, and consideration of regulatory pathways for clinical implementation is also discussed. In conclusion, while substantial progress has been made in biomarker discovery, continued research and innovation are essential to address the remaining challenges. The successful translation of these discoveries into clinical practice will require rigorous validation, standardization of protocols, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. By advancing the development and application of novel biomarkers, we can improve the early detection and management of HCC, ultimately enhancing patient survival and quality of life.
Core Tip: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current and emerging biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma, emphasizing the significance of multi-omics approaches in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategies. It highlights the challenges in biomarker discovery, including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical factors, and underscores the need for large-scale validation and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The insights presented aim to advance early detection, improve patient outcomes, and pave the way for personalized treatment approaches in liver cancer management.
