title: Actual half-life of alpha-fetoprotein as a prognostic tool in pediatric malignant tumors.
abstract: In a retrospective study, the prognostic value of monitoring the decay of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was assessed. Serum AFP was determined serially in 18 children with malignant germ-cell or hepatic tumors: 7 endodermal sinus tumor, 3 embryonal carcinoma, 5 malignant teratoma, 2 hepatoblastomas, and 1 hepatocellular carcinoma. The actual half-life (AHL) of AFP was computed after surgical resection of the tumor. In group 1, which had complete resection and no recurrence during follow-up (n = 13), the AHL of AFP was 4.0 +/- 0.9 days. In group 2, which had incomplete resection or recurrence during follow-up (n = 5), the AHL of AFP was 24.8 +/- 20 days, significantly longer than that of group 1 (P = 0.0026). The increased AHL of AFP indicated residual active tumor after surgical resection. The AHL of AFP may be more sensitive than serial monitoring of AFP in detecting preclinical recurrence after surgical resection of AFP-secreting tumors. Treatment strategies can be based on AFP clearance, and prospective clinical trials are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Shinchon-Dong 134, Seodaemoon-Ku, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins