Reviewer's report
Title:A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for an early detection of
hepatoma
Version: 1Date:24 September 2009
Reviewer: Hans Spangenberg
Reviewer's report:
The paper entitled „A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for an early
detection of hepatoma” by Miural. describes the detection of TERTmRNA in the
serum of patients with HCC. The paper is well witten, the methods used are state
of the art. Even though the results of the study are quite intruiging, some points
should be addressed pior to publication.
1. The study population is not well described. A table with the characteristics
should be added. (Figure 1 with should include the characteristics) could not be
found.
2. The control population is not well chosen, since most HCC patients are male,
however in this paper the majority of control patients is female.
3. For better statistical comparison more patients with liver cirrhosis with different
child classification should be evaluated.
4. longitudinal analysis of TERTmRNA should be done to analyse the predictive
value of this marker to detect HCCs.
5. Was the diagnosis of HCC according to AASLD guidelines, this should be
stated in M and M.
6. The recurrence of HCC after TACE, was there any correlation of TERT with
imaging (Ultrasound, CT, MR)?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Reviewer's report
Title:A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for an early detection of
hepatoma
Version: 1Date:24 September 2009
Reviewer: Hans Spangenberg
Reviewer's report:
The paper entitled „A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for an early
detection of hepatoma” by Miural. describes the detection of TERTmRNA in the
serum of patients with HCC. The paper is well witten, the methods used are state
of the art. Even though the results of the study are quite intruiging, some points
should be addressed pior to publication.
1. The study population is not well described. A table with the characteristics
should be added. (Figure 1 with should include the characteristics) could not be
found.
2. The control population is not well chosen, since most HCC patients are male,
however in this paper the majority of control patients is female.
3. For better statistical comparison more patients with liver cirrhosis with different
child classification should be evaluated.
4. longitudinal analysis of TERTmRNA should be done to analyse the predictive
value of this marker to detect HCCs.
5. Was the diagnosis of HCC according to AASLD guidelines, this should be
stated in M and M.
6. The recurrence of HCC after TACE, was there any correlation of TERT with
imaging (Ultrasound, CT, MR)?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for an early detection of
hepatoma
Version: 1Date:24 September 2009
Reviewer: Hans Spangenberg
Reviewer's report:
The paper entitled „A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for an early
detection of hepatoma” by Miural. describes the detection of TERTmRNA in the
serum of patients with HCC. The paper is well witten, the methods used are state
of the art. Even though the results of the study are quite intruiging, some points
should be addressed pior to publication.
1. The study population is not well described. A table with the characteristics
should be added. (Figure 1 with should include the characteristics) could not be
found.
2. The control population is not well chosen, since most HCC patients are male,
however in this paper the majority of control patients is female.
3. For better statistical comparison more patients with liver cirrhosis with different
child classification should be evaluated.
4. longitudinal analysis of TERTmRNA should be done to analyse the predictive
value of this marker to detect HCCs.
5. Was the diagnosis of HCC according to AASLD guidelines, this should be
stated in M and M.
6. The recurrence of HCC after TACE, was there any correlation of TERT with
imaging (Ultrasound, CT, MR)?
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: Yes, but I do not feel adequately qualified to assess the
statistics.
assistant