J Clin Pathol Qual Control.  1997 Jun;19(1):161-165.

Lectin-Reactive Alpha-Fetoprotein in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Seo DH
• Hong YJ
• Chun SI
• Chung JW
• Park JH
• Kim JQ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been recognized as the most useful diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). But serum AFP concentrations are also elevated in patients with benign liver diseases. The microheterogeneity of AFP has been known and its diagnostic values for HCC have been evaluated extensively. We studied the lectin reactivity of serum AFP in Koreans with HCC.
METHODS
A fraction of serum AFP reactive with Lens culinaris agglutinin-A was measured by lectin-affinity electrophoresis coupled with antibody-affinity blotting in serum samples from 60 patients with HCC.
RESULTS
The lectin-reactive AFP named AFP L3 was positive in 47 patients (78.3%). The sensitivity of AFP L3 detection in HCCs was related to the concentration of serum AFP. Above 20 ng/mL of serum AFP, the sensitivity of the test was 93.5%. The mean+/-SD percentage of AFP L3 fraction was 24.1+/-26.5%. No significant correlation was observed between total AFP concentrations and the percentages of AFP L3 fraction.
CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of AFP L3 of serum AFP by lectin-affinity electrophoresis coupled with antibody-affinity blotting was very sensitive in patients with HCC. We consider this methods to be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of HCC.

MeSH Terms

alpha-Fetoproteins*
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Diagnosis
Electrophoresis
Humans
Lens Plant
Liver Diseases
alpha-Fetoproteins