Angiogenetic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma during transarterial chemoembolization : a pilot study

Osredkar, Joško (author), Koršič, Špela (author), Prosenc Zmrzljak, Uršula (author), Trček, Hana (author), Popović, Peter (author)

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and remains a significant global health challenge. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the treatment of choice for intermediate-stage HCC patients. While TACE induces localized cytotoxic and ischemic tumor necrosis, the resultant hypoxia paradoxically activates pro-angiogenic signaling pathways, which may promote tumor revascularization and recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of angiogenetic factors pre- and post-TACE to assess their dynamic changes and potential clinical implications. Methods: Twenty-five intermediate-stage HCC patients were included in this monocentric prospective study. Peripheral blood samples were collected at baseline (pre-TACE), 24 h, 3 days, and 1 month post-TACE. Angiogenic factor levels were analyzed using a multiplex bead-based assay. Results: Angiopoietin-2 levels were significantly elevated three days post-TACE, followed by a gradual decline after one month. A similar pattern was observed for hepatocyte growth factor, with a marked increase at 24 h post-TACE and subsequent normalization. Endothelin-1 also exhibited a temporary increase, although it was only detected in four patients. Fibroblast growth factors (1 and 2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A were detected in a limited number of patients, which may indicate low systemic release or the need for a more sensitive detection method. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TACE induces a transient increase in angiogenic factors, likely due to tumor ischemia, tissue injury, or microenvironmental responses. Future studies should explore more sensitive detection methods and evaluate whether these factors could serve as prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in HCC treatment.

• Language: English
• Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, transarterial chemoembolization, angiogenesis, angiopoietin-2, HGF, VEGF-A, FGF-1, FGF-2, endothelin-1
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy; MF - Faculty of Medicine
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 12 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 17, iss. 16, [article no.] 2642
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-175842
• UDC: 616.36-006
• ISSN on article: 2072-6694
• DOI: 10.3390/cancers17162642
• COBISS.SI-ID: 247145475
• Publication date in RUL: 11.11.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Cancers
• Shortened title: Cancers
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2072-6694
• COBISS.SI-ID: 517914137

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: transarterijska kemoembolizacija, angiogeneza, angiopoetin-2, HGF, VEGF-A, FGF-1, FGF-2, endotelin-1 hepatocelularni karcinom