Evaluation Of HCC By Combined Detection Of Serum AFP-IgM Complexes And Liver Function

ObjectiveTo analyze the diagnostic value of the combined detection of a new HCC marker,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)-IgM immune complexes and liver function in hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC).MethodsWe collected64cases of HCC and27cases of liver cirrhosis, and gathered venousblood5ml when patients were empty. Then we collected blood serum after centrifugation.We tested serum AFP-IgM complexes by ELISA and AFP by electrochemiluminescence.We collected patients’ liver function on clinic. We determined the best cut-off values ofAFP-IgM and liver function to analyze the significance of diagnosis of hepatocellularcarcinoma by AFP-IgM and AFP-IgM combined with liver function.Results1、The best cut-off value of AFP-IgM immune complexes was300AU/ml, accordingto the area under the ROC curve. At this best cut-off value:(1)The serum AFP-IgM levels were significantly higher in the patients with tumordiameter≤3cm (1195.4±561.8AU/ml) than in the patients with tumor diameter>3cm(584.3±771.7AU/ml)(P<0.05).(2)Compared with AFP-IgM levels and clinic stages, the serum AFP-IgM levels inpatients of I-II clinic stages (1033.0±508.0AU/mL) were higher than in patients of III-IVclinic stages (569.2±791.7AU/mL)(P<0.05).2、The best cut-off value of GGT was≥154u/L, according to the area under the ROCcurve. At this best cut-off value:(1) The sensitivity of GGT for HCC was73.4%, with specificity of55.6%.(2)The sensitivity of AFP-IgM associating GGT for HCC was46.9%，with specificityof70.3%and the accuracy of diagnosis was53.8%. Conclusion(1)AFP-IgM can help increase the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma(tumordiameter≤3cm), the screening and diagnosis of early stage HCC.(2)AFP-IgM combined with liver function (GGT) may help diagnose HCC and livercirrhosis.(3) AFP-IgM associating measurement of liver function (GGT) is desired to be a wayof diagnosis of small early stage HCC besides AFP.