Why the study?
Alpha-fetoprotein is used as a criterion for HCC diagnosis despite low sensitivity and specificity, prompting evaluation of its levels across chronic hepatopathies.
Do Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels differ between patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and those with other chronic hepatopathies?
Do Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels differ between patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and those with other chronic hepatopathies?
AFP levels are significantly elevated in patients with HCC compared to other chronic hepatopathies, supporting its utility as a biomarker for HCC.
AFP elevation was associated with HCC in chronic liver disease; supports biomarker evaluation but remains hypothesis-generating without prospective validation.
Introduction: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein associated with hepatic regeneration, as well as with neoplastic processes such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nowadays, AFP is used as a criterion for HCC diagnosis, although it is not very sensitive and specific. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of AFP in patients with chronic hepatopathy. Materials and Methods: Patients with chronic hepatopathy and AFP were studied (January 2015-December 2017), including 160 patients. They were classified by etiology (primary biliary cholangitis, HCC, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and liver disease of an indeterminate origin). Results: A significant difference was observed between the group of patients with HCC and the other study groups, presenting AFP levels above the reference limit. The other groups showed normal values. Conclusion: Patients with HCC showed high levels of AFP, but not patients with the other hepatopathies studied.
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Cienfuegos‐Pecina et al. (2019) studied this question.
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