COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING AND DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF LIVER CANCER IN A MAMMALIAN SUBJECT

摘要

The presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is determined in a mammalian subject, or the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is assessed in a mammalian subject prior to the development of clinically detectable HCC. The methods comprise determining the level of osteopontin (OPN) in a biological sample obtained from the subject and comparing the level to a reference standard or threshold value. An elevated level of OPN compared to the reference standard or threshold indicates the presence of HCC in the subject, or an increased risk that the subject will develop clinically detectable HCC.