Preoperative Serum Glycan Levels Reflect Progression of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ABSTRACT Background Abnormal glycosylation is associated with tumors. The clinical value of serum glycans in assessing progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients remains a challenge. Methods A study dynamically comparing levels of fifteen lectin‐specific glycans between preoperative and postoperative serum of 65 HCC patients was conducted via lectin biochip technology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to address associations between serum glycan levels and clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate the impacts of serum glycan levels on overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) of the HCC patients. Results HCC patients presented significantly higher levels of the lectin‐specific glycans in preoperative serum than disease‐free individuals (p