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.
Liver Unit, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom.
M Q
MQ
Du
W L
WL
Hutchinson
P J
PJ
Johnson
R
R
Williams
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