Extracellular RNA Markers of Liver Disease and Cancer
Extracellular RNA Markers of Liver Disease and Cancer
The study will examine and evaluate the use of extracellular RNA in blood as markers for the
 diagnosis of liver disease or cancer, and as markers for prediction of response to treatment
 or recurrence of cancer after surgery
The goal is to identify an extracellular RNA candidate for the detection and diagnosis of
 liver cancers such as hepatocellular cancer or biliary cancer, and chronic liver diseases.
 The use of selected exRNA biomarkers for diagnosis of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) or biliary
 tract cancers in patients with cirrhosis will be evaluated in a prospective case-control
 study. The study will create a registry of patients who have chronic liver disease,
 cirrhosis, liver and biliary tract cancers. A risk factor questionnaire will be administered
 to facilitate identification of risk factors for development of liver cancer. Patient
 information will be obtained from the medical record, and include demographics, medical
 history, liver disease, smoking and alcohol history, etiology, family history, and clinical
 laboratory data.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Lab results from within the previous 90 days.

 -  Diagnosis of HCC or biliary tract cancer

 -  Diagnosis of cirrhosis based on histology, imaging, or ultrasound.

 -  Diagnosis of a chronic liver disease without cirrhosis.

 Exclusion Criteria for the HCC/biliary tract cancer group:

 -  Prior solid organ transplant.

 -  Previous cancer history with the last 5 years (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer),
 participation in a treatment trial for HCC

 Exclusion criteria for the cirrhosis and chronic liver disease groups:

 -  Prior solid organ transplant.

 -  Previous or current cancer history within the past 5 years (excluding non-melanoma
 skin cancer).