Hyung Seok Kim1,#, Ju A Son2,#, Minji Kang3,4,#, Soon Sun Kim3, Geum Ok Baek3, Moon Gyeong Yoon3, Se Ha Jang3,4, Dokyung Jung5, Ji Eun Han3, Jae Youn Cheong3,*, Jung Woo Eun3,*
Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070392
- 19 January 2026
Abstract Objectives: Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant challenge due to the limited sensitivity of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). This study aimed to assess serum-derived extracellular vesicle-encapsulated GULP PTB domain-containing engulfment adaptor 1 (EV-GULP1) as a novel, noninvasive biomarker for HCC detection and prognosis, leveraging the potential of tumor-specific molecules carried by small extracellular vesicles (EVs). Methods: The study utilized both internal and external cohorts of HCC patients and controls. Small EVs were isolated from serum samples, then characterized and validated to confirm their identity. The expression levels of EV-GULP1 were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription… More >