Surreal illustration showing the progression of liver cancer with M2BPGi molecules indicating risk assessment.

Decoding Liver Health: Can M2BPGi Levels Predict Cancer Risk After Hepatitis B Treatment?

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A groundbreaking study reveals how monitoring M2BPGi could revolutionize hepatocellular carcinoma prediction in chronic hepatitis B patients undergoing antiviral therapy."

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects millions worldwide and poses a significant risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary liver cancer. While antiviral therapies have greatly improved outcomes for CHB patients, the risk of HCC isn't entirely eliminated. This is where biomarkers like Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) come into play, offering a potential tool for refined risk assessment.

M2BPGi is a liver-specific isoform of Mac-2 binding protein. Recent research highlights it as a promising biomarker for evaluating liver fibrosis and predicting liver disease progression. The level of M2BPGi in the blood reflects the condition of the liver, but how it changes with antiviral treatment and how it relates to cancer risk is still under investigation.

A new study published in 'Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics' sheds light on M2BPGi's role in patients with CHB undergoing oral antiviral therapy. Researchers followed a cohort of patients, tracking changes in M2BPGi levels and their connection to the development of HCC. The findings have implications for how doctors monitor and manage patients with CHB.

How Does M2BPGi Change with Antiviral Treatment and Why Does It Matter?

Surreal illustration showing the progression of liver cancer with M2BPGi molecules indicating risk assessment.

The study enrolled 384 patients with previously untreated CHB who started antiviral therapy. Researchers collected blood samples at the beginning of treatment and then annually for two years, measuring M2BPGi levels and monitoring the patients for HCC development. The researchers found:

M2BPGi levels significantly decreased after antiviral therapy, with most of the decline happening in the first year. This suggests that antiviral treatment has a direct impact on liver health, as reflected in M2BPGi levels.

Significant Decline: M2BPGi levels significantly decreased after antiviral therapy.
First Year Impact: The most substantial reduction in M2BPGi occurred during the first year of treatment.
Cirrhosis Matters: Patients with cirrhosis had higher M2BPGi levels than those without, underscoring the importance of liver condition.

During the study, 37 patients developed HCC, and almost all had pre-existing cirrhosis. The study revealed that the M2BPGi level at the start of treatment (baseline) was associated with the risk of developing HCC in patients with cirrhosis. This means that the initial M2BPGi level could help identify patients who are at higher risk, even when receiving antiviral therapy.

The Future of Liver Cancer Prediction: Personalizing Care with M2BPGi

This study provides valuable insights into how M2BPGi can be used to assess liver health and predict HCC risk in CHB patients undergoing antiviral therapy. By measuring M2BPGi levels at baseline, doctors can identify high-risk individuals and tailor their monitoring and treatment strategies accordingly, potentially improving outcomes and saving lives. More studies are needed to validate these results and explore how M2BPGi can be integrated into routine clinical practice.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/apt.15006, Alternate LINK

Title: Serum M2Bpgi Level And Risk Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Oral Anti-Viral Therapy In Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Yao-Chun Hsu, Tomi Jun, Yen-Tsung Huang, Ming-Lun Yeh, Chia-Long Lee, Shintaro Ogawa, Shu-Hsien Cho, Jaw-Town Lin, Ming-Lung Yu, Mindie H. Nguyen, Yasuhito Tanaka

Published: 2018-10-10

Everything You Need To Know

What is M2BPGi, and why is it relevant to liver health and cancer risk?

M2BPGi, or Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer, is a liver-specific isoform of Mac-2 binding protein. Its levels in the blood serve as a biomarker reflecting the condition of the liver. Higher levels often indicate liver fibrosis and a higher risk of liver disease progression, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The relevance lies in its potential to predict HCC risk in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, especially those undergoing antiviral therapy, by providing insights into liver health status.

How does antiviral therapy affect M2BPGi levels in chronic hepatitis B patients?

The study showed that antiviral therapy significantly decreased M2BPGi levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. The most substantial reduction occurred during the first year of treatment. This decrease suggests that antiviral treatment has a positive impact on liver health. By monitoring the changes in M2BPGi, doctors can assess the effectiveness of the antiviral therapy and the overall health of the liver.

What role does cirrhosis play in the context of M2BPGi and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)?

Patients with cirrhosis, a severe form of liver scarring, had higher baseline M2BPGi levels compared to those without cirrhosis. This underscores the importance of the liver's condition in the relationship between M2BPGi and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study found that the baseline M2BPGi level was associated with the risk of developing HCC in patients with cirrhosis, even while receiving antiviral therapy. This suggests that M2BPGi can help identify high-risk individuals who may require more intensive monitoring.

How can M2BPGi be used to improve the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients?

By measuring M2BPGi levels at the start of antiviral therapy (baseline), doctors can assess the patient's risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). High baseline M2BPGi levels, especially in patients with cirrhosis, may indicate a higher risk. This information allows doctors to tailor their monitoring and treatment strategies. For example, patients with elevated M2BPGi levels might need more frequent check-ups, advanced imaging, or even consider different treatment approaches, potentially improving outcomes and enabling earlier intervention if necessary.

What are the next steps for research involving M2BPGi and liver cancer prediction?

While the study provides valuable insights, more research is needed to validate these results and explore how M2BPGi can be integrated into routine clinical practice. Further studies should focus on confirming the predictive accuracy of M2BPGi in larger patient populations, assessing its performance in different stages of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and evaluating its effectiveness in combination with other biomarkers. This will help refine risk assessment and personalize the management of patients at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).