MicroRNA Let-7a-1-5p role in EGFR, EpCAM expression of hepatocellular carcinoma progression in HBV-infected Iraqi patients

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and progressive cancers worldwide. Abnormal gene expression has been associated with differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis in several diseases, including cancer. One significant human pathogen is the hepatotropic virus hepatitis B virus (HBV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of EGFR, EpCAM, and miRNA-let7a-1 5P as molecular biomarkers for diagnosing (HCC) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by comparing their expression profiles in patients and healthy controls. Methods: A total of 120 blood samples were enrolled, comprising 40 newly diagnosed HCC patients (Group I), 40 chronic CHB patients (Group II), and 40 healthy controls (Group III). the expression of EGFR, EpCAM and miRNA-let7a-1 5P genes were estimated utilizing (RT-qPCR). Results: The expression of the EGFR and EpCAM genes was upregulated in HCC, CHB patients' comparison with healthy volunteers with fold changes of 2.0 and 2.4 for EGFR and 1.4 and 1.8 for EpCAM. In contrast, miRNA-let7a-1 5p expression was downregulated in HCC, CHB patient groups with fold changes of 0.19 and 0.20 compared to controls. (ROC) curve analysis revealed high diagnostic accuracy for miRNA-let7a-1 5p (AUC = 1.000). EGFR and EpCAM, showed diagnostic potential with AUC values above 0.75. Conclusion: EGFR and EpCAM gene expression upregulation in patients with HCC and CHB than in comparisons with HCs. miRNA- let7a-1 5P expression was downregulated in HCC and CHB patients compared to that in HCs, in particular, emerges as a promising diagnostic biomarker for these conditions.