Evaluation of nutritional factors, cytokines, liver parameters and survival of patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: a cross-sectional study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of mortality among cirrhotic patients, often linked to advanced liver disease. This cross-sectional study evaluated the nutritional factors, cytokine profiles, liver function parameters, and survival of patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC. Forty-seven patients were grouped as LC (n=21) or LC with HCC (n=26). Nutritional status was assessed through anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and dietary recall, while cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α) and biochemical markers (AST, ALT, albumin, prealbumin) were analyzed. Survival data were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. HCC patients exhibited higher IL-6 levels, correlating with advanced disease stages (p=0.035). IL-10 levels were elevated in early-stage HCC (BCLC A) compared to BCLC B (p=0.006). AST and ALT levels were significantly higher in HCC patients, reflecting greater hepatocyte damage. Survival analysis revealed a median of 756 days, with shorter survival in HCC patients (p=0.0172). Nutritional parameters did not significantly correlate with survival outcomes, though most patients were eutrophic or overweight. This study highlights the roles of IL-6 and IL-10 as potential biomarkers in HCC progression and provides critical insights into the biochemical and nutritional profiles associated with LC and HCC. These findings may inform future therapeutic interventions.