Differential alpha-fetoprotein lectin binding in hepatocellular carcinoma. Diagnostic utility at low serum levels.
The reactivity of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) from 20 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with immobilized lentil lectin was examined and found to be significantly greater (39% +/- 18%) than that of the same protein from seven patients with chronic liver disease (CLD, 11.2% +/- 3.3%), seven with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF, 10% +/- 8.4%), and eight normal pregnant women (4.1% +/- 2.7%). The reactivity with Concanavalin A (Con A) was also significantly greater for AFP from HCC patients (44.5% +/- 12.5%) than that from FHF patients (7.7% +/- 4%) and normal pregnant women (5.3% +/- 3.3%), but not from patients with CLD. The reactivity with lentil lectin permitted distinction between those with HCC (31.3% +/- 14.1%) and those with uncomplicated CLD (11.2% +/- 8.4%) even when the absolute levels of serum AFP were in the same range (80-400 ng/ml). Evaluation of the alterations by lectin binding methodology may be useful in overcoming problems associated with distinguishing between malignant and CLD, particularly at moderate serum AFP elevations.
Du
M Q
MQ
Liver Unit, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom.
Hutchinson
W L
WL
Johnson
P J
PJ
Williams
R
R
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; C033619:lentil lectin