Ssx -1 and ssx-5 genes expression in egyptian hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a case control study

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. With a rising rate, it is a prominent source of mortality. Patients with advanced fibrosis, predominantly cirrhosis and hepatitis B and C infections are predisposed to developing HCC. Genes of Synovial sarcoma X chromosome (SSX) are one of cancer testis associated genes; which are a subgroup of tumor antigens with a restricted expression in testis and malignancies. Limited studies were done about SSX genes expression in Egyptian HCC patients. Objectives: Therefore this study aims to estimate the SSX-1 and SSX-5 mRNA expression in the blood of Egyptian HCC patients and to evaluate any probable association between the expression of these genes and other clinical and biochemical parameters. Methods: A case control study was done on 40 patients with HCC, 20 patients with post HCV liver cirrhosis and 20 healthy persons. Assessment of SSX1 and SSX5 mRNA expression in the peripheral blood was done by reverse transcription real-time PCR. Results: SSX -1 and SSX-5 mRNA were expressed in 47.5 % and 42.5 % of HCC patients respectively. Both genes were not expressed in cirrhotic patients and healthy controls. There was no considerable association between SSX-1 and SSX-5 gene expression and alpha fetoprotein level (P = 0.09& 0.29), size of the tumor (P = 0.56& 0.08) and tumor stage (P = 0.28& 0.22). Conclusion: SSX-1 and SSX-5 mRNA are exclusively expressed in peripheral blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, thus both genes are considered as a tumor-specific markers to detect HCC in Egypt.