title: Plasma prekallikrein levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis: a pilot study.
abstract: The concentration of plasma prekallikrein (PK) in five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been measured and related to levels in 18 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 30 healthy subjects. It was found that the mean PK level was significantly increased in patients with HCC, while patients with LC demonstrated lower concentrations, as compared with healthy subjects. The results indicate that PK might be useful in screening cirrhotic patients for HCC. Longitudinal studies of PK in a larger group of patients at risk of developing HCC are therefore recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciechanowicz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kawiak
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miks
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dutkiewicz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Długosz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Syczewska-Wawrzynowicz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marzecka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011288:Prekallikrein / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011288:Prekallikrein