Characterizing Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Biomarkers

Samples were from 30 patients with iCCA, 17 samples with PSC, and 20 patients with other liver diseases but not iCCA or PSC seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN between January 2000 and May 2010. Peripheral blood was collected from each participant at the time of the office visit before treatment. Sera were stored at −80°C. The following data elements were abstracted from the medical record: demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, race, weight, height), medical history, etiology of liver disease, laboratory data including CA19-9 and AFP, and imaging results (ultrasound, CT, or MRI). Histopathology results and radiologic findings from the medical records of all patients were reviewed to ascertain the diagnosis of iCCA and identify tumor location. The diagnosis of iCCA in all patients was confirmed by histopathology. The anatomic location of CCAs was categorized as “intrahepatic” if the mass lesion arose within the hepatic parenchyma and did not extend to or involve the secondary branches of the biliary trees as demonstrated either by CT imaging, MRI, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography findings. The etiology of liver disease was based on the laboratory, imaging, and histopathology results and the judgment of the treating physician. For patients with viral hepatitis, anti-HCV antibody, serum HCV RNA, HBV surface antigen, HBV e-antigen, and HBV DNA levels were recorded. Clinical information of the serum cohort is listed in Supplementary Fig. S2C.