Combined assessment of TGF-beta-1 and alpha-fetoprotein values improves specificity in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and other chronic liver diseases in Malaysia.
Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta-1) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation of both normal and transformed cells. The main aim of this study was to determine whether TGF-beta-1 or alpha fetoprotein (AFP) or the combination of the two is a better indicator for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC). Serum TGF-beta-1 and AFP were measured by ELISA in 40 healthy subjects, 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 70 patients with hepatitis B, 26 patients with hepatitis C and 16 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Patients with liver diseases showed significantly higher serum TGF-beta-1 values (> 3 fold) compared to control subjects. As for serum AFP, significant elevation was only observed for HCC cases. Serum TGF-beta-1 exhibited higher percent sensitivity compared to serum AFP in all liver diseases. Combination of serum TGF-beta-1 and AFP increased specificities in all cases studied. In conclusion, serum TGF-beta-1 is a more sensitive marker for HCC when compared to serum AFP and its specificity is increased when combined with serum AFP.
Yasmin Anum
M Y
MY
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. anum@medic.ukm.my
Looi
M L
ML
Nor Aini
A H
AH
Merican
I
I
Wahidah
A
A
Mohd Radzi
A H
AH
Nor Azizah
A
A
Othman
N H
NH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins