title: Alpha-fetoprotein reaction to Pisum sativum agglutinin in differentiation of benign liver diseases from hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Alpha-fetoprotein reactive to Pisum sativum agglutinin levels (AFP-R-PSA) was measured in sera from 124 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 54 patients with benign liver diseases (BLD). The level of AFP-R-PSA in the HCC group (42% +/- 22%) was significantly higher than that in the BLD group (10% +/- 8%). When an AFP-R-PSA level above 25% was used as a value highly suggestive of HCC, the sensitivity of the test was 82%, the specificity was 96%, the accuracy was 86%, and the positive prediction value was 98%. The positive rates of AFP-R-PSA in HCC patients with a serum AFP level below 100 micrograms/L and with a serum AFP level below 400 micrograms/L were 78% and 84%, respectively. Corresponding value was 74% for 31 patients with a tumor size less than 5cm. If AFP was combined with AFP-R-PSA, the detection rate of small HCC in this study would be increased from 32% to 87%. These data indicate that measurement of AFP-R-PSA is useful for the differentiation of BLD and for the early diagnosis of HCC.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai.
authors.forename: Z F
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Z X
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Z F
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037121:Plant Lectins; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; C036292:pea lectin