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Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common, serious malignancy with a dismal prognosis. As HCC is frequently missed in its early stages, non-invasive early detection is urgently needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible utility of circulating miRNA-29b1, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 mRNAs, and proteins as diagnostic and predictive biomarkers for HCC. Subjects and methods This study included 92 subjects, including 52 patients with HCC at various stages and grades and 40 healthy subjects as controls. RT-PCR was used to detect circulating miRNA-29b1, MMPs-2, and 9 mRNAs, while ELISA was used to detect AFP, MMPs-2, and 9 proteins in the participants’ blood. Results When HCC patients were compared to controls, there were significant increases in the levels of MMPs-2, 9 mRNAs, and proteins, and a significant drop in the levels of miRNA-29b1. There were no significant variations in the levels of miRNA-29b1, mRNAs, and MMP-2 and -9 proteins in advanced HCC. There were negative associations between miRNA-29b1 and MMPs-2, 9 mRNAs, and proteins, implying overlapping molecular microRNA-mediated mechanisms that control MMPs that should be investigated further in the future. The levels of miRNA-29b1, MMPs-2, 9 mRNAs, and proteins indicated significant sensitivity and specificity in the early identification of HCC. Conclusion MMP-2, 9 mRNAs, and proteins may be employed as diagnostic but not prognostic biomarkers in HCC. miRNA-29b1 may play a protective role in HCC. An overlapping molecular microRNA-29b1-mediated pathway that may control MMPs-2 and 9 requires further experimental investigation in the future. |
