title: Hepatitis B surface antigenemia in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in relation to clinical course and alpha-fetoprotein.
abstract: Hepatitis B surface antigen was determined in sera of 122 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma seen in Japan, using both the counterimmunoelectrophoresis and radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques. It was positive in 49.2% of the patients with RIA, but the level of antigen in serum was relatively low since positivity rate by counterimmunoelectrophoresis was only 10.7%, The degree of antigenemia as assessed from the count relative to the cut-off value in RIA, was increased during the clinical course in 75% of the patients. The antigen tended to rise in concentration when the tumor grew at a rapid rate, when damage to liver parenchyma was extensive, or in patients receiving chemotherapy. There was also a tendency for less frequent positive antigen tests in patients with higher alpha-fetoprotein levels. Illustrative cases are presented with discussion on the possible explanation for the change in the degree of antigenemia.
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology*; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins