Method for early diagnosis of liver cancer

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for early diagnosis of liver cancer. The method comprises the steps of:(A) providing a sample obtained from a subject; (B) assessing the expression level of four subtypes of α-mannosidase genes consisting of MAN1C1 in the sample; (C) comparing the expression level of α-mannosidase genes in the sample with a normal control; and (D) determining whether the subject having a risk of suffering liver cancer in accordance with the result of step (C); wherein while the MAN1C1 expression level of the sample is lower than that in the normal control, the subject is determined to have a risk of suffering liver cancer. Additionally, while MAN1A1, MAN1A2 and MAN1B1 expression levels in the sample are higher than those in control group, the subject is determined to suffer from liver cancer and has a risk of metastasis. In the future, MAN1C1 can be applied to early diagnosis of liver cancer and metastasis, suppression of liver metastasis, and screening agents for treating liver cancer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for early diagnosis of liver cancer, comprising the steps of:
 (A) providing a sample obtained from a subject;   (B) assessing MAN1C1 expression levels in the sample by detecting MAN1C1 RNA or protein expression levels in the sample;   (C) comparing the MAN1C1 expression levels in the sample with MAN1C1 expression levels in a normal control; and   (D) determining whether the subject having a risk of suffering liver cancer in accordance with the result of step (C);   wherein while the MAN1C1 expression levels of the sample is lower than that in the normal control, the subject is determined to have a risk of suffering liver cancer;   wherein the sample and the normal control are liver biopsies.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the MAN1C1 expression levels in the sample are at least two folds lower than the MAN1C1 expression levels in the normal control. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the subject is hepatitis B virus carrier. 
     
     
         4 . A method of inhibiting metastasis of liver cancer, comprising a step of overexpressing MAN1C1 by increasing α-mannosidase IC expression levels in a liver cancer cell. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein overexpressing MAN1C1 can inhibit the MMP9 expression levels. 
     
     
         6 . A method of screening a drug for liver cancer, comprising the steps of:
 (A) providing a liver cancer cell treated with a drug;   (B) assessing MAN1C1 expression levels in the liver cancer cell;   (C) determining whether the drug has a therapeutical effect according to the MAN1C1 expression levels.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising assessing MMP9 expression levels in the liver cancer cell, and determining whether the drug has a therapeutical effect according to the MMP9 expression levels.