Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	117512
Country	Taiwan

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Cohort Study
Article Title	Baseline and longitudinal biomarkers predict hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C: A cohort study
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Yi-Lin Li, Hung-Da Tung, Tang-Wei Chuang, Chun-Ta Cheng, Mai-Gio Pang, Jyh-Jou Chen, Kun-Ming Zhong, Ting-Yi Huang and Pei-Lun Lee
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Pei-Lun Lee, Chief Physician, Lecturer, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, No 201 Taikang, Liuying District, Tainan City, 736, Taiwan., Tainan 736402, Taiwan. peilun57@gmail.com
Key Words	Chronic hepatitis C; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Fibrosis-4 index; Alpha-fetoprotein; Longitudinal biomarkers; Risk stratification; Cohort study
Core Tip	This retrospective cohort study evaluated 271 treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C to determine whether baseline and 3-year trajectories of the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and other biomarkers predict long-term hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. A baseline FIB-4 value > 3.25 strongly predicted HCC independently, while a 3-year ΔFIB-4 ≥ 1 helped risk stratification. Persistently low FIB-4 values identified a group with negligible HCC incidence. Periodic, low-cost monitoring of FIB-4 and alpha-fetoprotein may offer a practical approach to guide surveillance and treatment prioritization in resource-limited settings.
Citation	Li YL, Tung HD, Chuang TW, Cheng CT, Pang MG, Chen JJ, Zhong KM, Huang TY, Lee PL. Baseline and longitudinal biomarkers predict hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C: A cohort study. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; In press

Received	2025-12-09 01:12
Peer-Review Started	2025-12-09 01:12
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-01-07 09:56
Return for Revision	2026-01-08 07:08
Revised	2026-01-16 13:36
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-01-20 08:26
Second Decision by Editor	2026-02-10 02:48
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-02-10 07:06
Articles in Press	2026-02-10 07:06
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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