Significance of alpha-fetoprotein mRNA level in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with radiofrequency ablation.
BACKGROUND
Many methods are used to treat liver cancer. Among them, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a hot topic because of its advantages. This study was designed to determine the significance of blood alpha-fetoprotein mRNA (AFPmRNA) changes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with RFA.


METHODS
The AFPmRNA content in blood samples from HCC patients was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before RFA and 48 hours, 72 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks later.


RESULTS
The blood of 183 patients was negative for AFPmRNA before RFA, but that of 62 of them was positive 72 hours later, then returned to negative after 2 weeks. The blood of 129 patients was positive for AFPmRNA before RFA, but that of 112 of them became negative 2 weeks later; 17 patients were still AFPmRNA positive 2 weeks after RFA.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood AFPmRNA, which is increased temporarily after RFA, can be used as an objective index for the persistence and recurrence of HCC after RFA.
Du
Xi-Lin
XL
Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. dxlin0705@163.com
Ma
Qing-Jiu
QJ
Wu
Tao
T
Bao
Guo-Qiang
GQ
Lu
Jian-Guo
JG
Chu
Yan-Kui
YK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins