Diagnostic value of the serum STIP1 concentration in patients with HCC and AFP-negative HCC

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of serum STIP1 levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and AFP-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (ANHC) patients. Methods In this study, serum samples were collected from 158 HCC patients and 63 non-HCC patients (including 29 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 19 healthy individuals, and 15 patients with cirrhosis). The serum STIP1 concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with HCC and ANHC. The diagnostic value of each index, as well as combinations of indices for HCC and ANHC, was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results STIP1, DCP, and AFP levels were significantly greater in the HCC group than in the non-HCC group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that age, ALT, TBIL, Log AFP, DCP, STIP1, and hepatitis B virus infection were significantly associated with HCC (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, DCP, STIP1, and hepatitis B virus infection were independent predictors of HCC (P < 0.05). In addition, the diagnostic value of STIP1 for HCC was significantly greater than that of DCP. The AUC for STIP1 combined with DCP was 0.937, and the sensitivity, specificity, and Yoden index were 84.8%, 98%, and 0.828, respectively. Additionally, among 73 AFP-negative (< 7 ng/mL) HCC patients, univariate analysis revealed significant differences in age, ALT, AST, GGT, AFP, STIP1and hepatitis B virus infection(P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, STIP1 expression, and hepatitis B virus infection status were independent predictors for ANHC patients. The ROC curve exhibited an AUC of 0.919 for STIP1, with a diagnostic cutoff value of 68.5 U/mL, a sensitivity of 76.71%, and a specificity of 100%. Moreover, 36 ANHC patients and 19 AFP-negative non-HCC patients were included in the validation of the diagnostic model. Among them, 20 patients had STIP1 levels greater than 68.5 U/mL, resulting in a diagnostic accuracy of 67.3%, sensitivity of 55.6%, and specificity of 89.5%. Conclusion STIP1 demonstrated excellent diagnostic value for HCC and ANHC. Moreover, STIP1 can serve as a valuable adjunctive tool for the clinical diagnosis of HCC.