Othman A. Othman, Mahmoud Fadl Bakr*

Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science,
Minia University, 61519, El-Minia, Egypt;
*e-mail: mahmoud.fadl@mu.edu.eg

Received: 02 March 2025; Revised: 27 May 2025;
Accepted: 11 June 2025; Available on-line: 07 July 2025

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) selectively targets the liver and causes persistent infection, often evading the immune system, leading to chronic liver failure, kidney disease and HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to estimate the indices of liver and kidney functions and the level of inflammatory cytokines and tumor markers in patients with both HCV-positive chronic hepatitis and HCV-related HCC in comparison to HCV only patients and healthy controls. The study included 156 persons divided into four groups: control group I – 27 healthy individuals; HCV group – 45 patients with HCV (proved by PCR); HCC group – 42 patients with HCC (proved by radiological investigations and laboratory tests); HCV+HCC group – 42 patients with HCV and HCC (HCV – positive chronic hepatitis with HCC). Routine clinical tests for kidney and liver function were used. The levels of IL-6, IL-1B, TNF-α and tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) were examined by ELISA. The results showed a highly significant increase in ALT, ALP, and AST activity, as well as uric acid, urea and creatinine levels, with a significant decrease in albumin levels in HCC and HCV+HCC groups compared to HCV-only patients and healthy controls. The elevation in the serum levels of the studied tumor markers and cytokines in the HCC and HCV+HCC groups, with the highest levels in the latter, was observed. The data obtained indicate the progressive deterioration in liver and kidney functions and a significant effect of chronic inflammation in HCV-related liver carcinogenesis.