Decreasing Trend of Serum α-Fetoprotein Level in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 May;20(5):1177-1179.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.08.011. Epub 2021 Aug 12.

Abstract

Serum α-fetoprotein (AFP), a well-established biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), increases the sensitivity of ultrasound-based surveillance programs for early stage HCC detection.1,2 Multiple factors, including tumor burden, can affect AFP levels in patients with HCC.3 Nontumoral factors, such as race/ethnicity and liver disease etiology, are also known to be associated with elevated AFP.3 With the increasing trend of earlier stage HCC detection and shift from viral to nonviral etiology, we hypothesized that AFP level at HCC diagnosis would decrease in the United States.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • United States
  • alpha-Fetoproteins

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • alpha-Fetoproteins