Investigation of the metabolite profile of patients with hepatocellular cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, the fifth most common type of cancer worldwide, and the second most common cause of cancer-related death. Liver cancer is predicted to continue to be a global health problem with an estimated >1 million cases by 2025. Despite many studies, there are many parts that are not clear about the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, the discovery and validation of new, more specific, and cost-effective biomarkers that can more precisely predict the diagnosis and clinical behavior of early hepatocellular carcinoma diseases individually is an important research goal. Therefore, it is of great importance to investigate metabolite changes related to HCC diagnosis and screening. In this study; It is aimed to determine new biomarkers to be used in diagnosis and treatment by examining the plasma free amino acid, carnitine and acyl carnitine profiles of individuals diagnosed with hepatocellular cancer. In the study, 14 free amino acids, 27 carnitine and acyl carnitine profiles were analyzed by LC-MS/MS in plasma samples taken from 40 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 40 healthy individuals. Data analysis was done with SPSS. In the study, all amino acids except Methyl-Glutaryl were found to be significantly decreased in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma compared to the control group. When carnitine and acyl carnitine levels are examined; While C18-1-0H level increased in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma compared to the control group, C0, C2, C4, C4DC, C5, C6, C6DC, C8, C8_1, C10, C10DC, C12, C14, C14-1, C16, C16-1 significantly increased in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma compared to the control group. was found to decrease. The data obtained as a result of the study; We hope that carnitine, acyl carnitine and free amino acid profile changes will reveal disease-specific findings and provide innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular cancer.