CHRIST: CD44-Incorporated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Index Scoring Tool—A Novel Prognostic Scoring System for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development and Aggressiveness

CD44 has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in regulating tumor cell progression, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Here, we aimed to establish a scoring system to evaluate the risk of developing HCC utilizing CD44-rs187115 SNP polymorphism. A prospective cohort of 120 individuals was enrolled in four groups: 19 non-metastatic HCC patients, 21 metastatic, 40 patients with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis, and 40 controls. Allelic discrimination of the CD44-rs187115 gene polymorphism was assessed using TaqMan genotyping assay. HCC patients with CT/CC genotypes were more likely to have aggressive malignancy compared to TT carriers. A significant correlation was noted between the existence of CT/CC genotypes and tumor size, multicentricity, infiltration, portal vein thrombosis, and metastasis. A CD44-incorporated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Index Scoring Tool (CHRIST) was formulated utilizing clinical and genetic variables. A score > 3 for HCC development demonstrated 87.5% sensitivity, 72.5% specificity, and a 76% positive predictive value (PPV) and 85% negative predictive value (NPV). Furthermore, a score > 5 for HCC metastasis demonstrated 90.4% sensitivity, 68.4% specificity, a 76% PPV and 86% NPV. A similarly significant score was noted following a six-month re-evaluation. We conclude that CD44-rs187115 may serve as a reliable prognostic biomarker for HCC and that the CHRIST prognostic model is highly predictive of the development of HCC and metastatic HCC

Relation of interleukin-15 with the severity of primary knee osteoarthritis

Background Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a proinflammatory cytokine. IL-15 could be considered a potential biomarker for primary knee osteoarthritis (OA). Aim This study aimed to assess the serum level of IL-15 in primary knee OA patients and assess its relation to clinical severity, functional disabilities, and radiological grading of knee OA. Patients and methods This study included 40 patients with primary knee OA and 40 apparently healthy individuals. Assessment of knee OA was performed using clinical examination, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score, and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index. Radiological assessment was performed using the Kellgren–Laurence grading scale. Serum level of IL-15 was measured in both patients and control participants. Results There were no statistically significant differences between patients and the control group in sex (P=1.000) and age (P=0.247). The patient group had a statistically significantly higher serum IL-15 level than its level in the control group (P≤0.0001). Serum IL-15 level was significantly higher among patients with knee joint line tenderness and effusion (P≤0.0001). There were statistically significant positive correlations between serum IL-15 level with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index total score (P≤0.0001), the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index score (P≤0.0001), and the Kellgren–Laurence grading scale (P≤0.0001). Conclusion Serum IL-15 is elevated and correlated positively with pain, stiffness, functional disabilities, as well as radiological damage in primary knee OA. This suggests that IL-15 plays an important critical role in the pathogenesis of primary knee OA-related pain, stiffness, and joint damage. IL-15 might be a potential biomarker for assessing the severity of primary knee OA