Lectin affinity electrophoresis of alpha-fetoprotein. Increased specificity and sensitivity as a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma.
alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is widely used as a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for assisting diagnosis and also for screening purposes, even though its sensitivity has been decreased slightly as a result of the earlier detection of HCC by ultrasonography. Using lectin-dependent fractionation of AFP, the diagnostic sensitivity as well as the specificity of AFP can be increased compared with measurement of total AFP. Furthermore, lectin-reactive forms of AFP, AFP-L3 and AFP-P4, have been shown to serve as preclinical markers of HCC. Accordingly, AFP is still the most reliable marker of HCC in screening and monitoring high-risk patients.
Hirai
H
H
Tumour Laboratory, Kokubunji, Tokyo, Japan.
Taketa
K
K
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037102:Lectins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins