High serum levels of secretory component in hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated levels of secretory IgA (S-IgA) have been detected in serum samples from patients with liver diseases and neoplasia with liver metastasis. We undertook the current study in order to determine the concentrations of different forms of free secretory component (SC) in sera from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
The concentrations of SC, S-IgA, and secretory IgM (S-IgM) were quantified in the sera of 100 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and in 77 matched healthy control subjects by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Free SC serum levels exceeded the upper limits of control values in 82 percent of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, S-IgA levels in 88 percent of them, and S-IgM levels in 32 percent. Free SC levels were positively correlated with S-IgA and S-IgM levels. They were weakly correlated with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, but not with alpha-fetoprotein, beta 2-microglobulin, albumin, or IgA serum concentrations, nor with alkaline phosphatase activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The data clearly demonstrate the elevation of serum free SC concentrations as a novel biologic alteration in hepatocellular carcinoma since free SC levels appear to be correlated neither with tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein, beta 2-microglobulin) nor with biliary obstruction.
Kew
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Vincent
C
C
Rossel
M
M
Revillard
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012635:Secretory Component / Q000032:analysis*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012635:Secretory Component; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; C033027:secretory IgM; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase