Expression changes of serum LINC00941 and LINC00514 in HBV infection-related liver diseases and their potential application values

Background Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are considered as potential diagnostic markers for a variety of tumors. Here, we aimed to explore the changes of LINC00941 and LINC00514 expression in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection-related liver disease and evaluate their application value in disease diagnosis. Methods Serum levels of LINC00941 and LINC00514 were detected by qRT-PCR. Potential diagnostic values were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Results Serum LINC00941 and LINC00514 levels were elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with controls. When distinguishing HCC from controls, serum LINC00941 and LINC00514 had diagnostic parameters of an AUC of 0.919 and 0.808, sensitivity of 85% and 90%, and specificity of 86.67% and 56.67%, which were higher than parameters for alpha fetal protein (AFP) (all p < 0.0001). When distinguishing HCC from LC, CHB, or LC from controls, the combined detection of LINC00941 or LINC00514 can significantly improve the accuracy of AFP test alone (all p < 0.05). Conclusions LINC00941 and LINC00514 were increased in the serum of HBV infection-associated liver diseases and might be independent markers for the detection of liver diseases.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated that LINC00941 and LINC00514 were elevated in serum of HBV infection-related liver diseases, and they might serve as independent markers for the detection of liver diseases.