In conclusion, the elevation of miR-34a and miR-224 may be associated with both benign and malignant proliferative processes, nevertheless the increased expression of oncomiRs miR-21 and miR-222 in cirrhosis and HCC but not in FNH may be related to malignant processes of the liver.
Moreover, miR-21 levels were independently associated with shorter transplant-free survival and may be used as a prognostic tool in outpatients with stable cirrhosis.
The results revealed that tissue and serum miR-21 was upregulated significantly in the groups of cirrhosis, early and advanced HCC compared with normal and fibrosis groups.