Alpha-Microglobulin in Liver Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): C. Vincent, M.C. Kew, P. Bouic, M. Flacher, J.P. Revillard
Primary Institution: Laboratory of Immunology, INSERM U80 CNRS UA 1177 UCBL, Hôpital E. Herriot
Hypothesis
Can alpha-microglobulin levels be used as a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Conclusion
The study found that while 90 kDa alpha-microglobulin levels were elevated in some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 31 kDa levels were usually not increased.
Supporting Evidence
- Serum levels of 31 kDa alpha-microglobulin were similar to those of European controls.
- 35 patients had elevated 90 kDa alpha-microglobulin levels, differing from healthy controls.
- 91% of patients had increased alpha-fetoprotein levels, but these were not correlated with alpha-microglobulin levels.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at a protein called alpha-microglobulin in people with liver cancer to see if it could help find the disease, but it didn't work as well as they hoped.
Methodology
Serum levels of alpha-microglobulin were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and healthy controls.
Limitations
The study may not apply to other populations outside of South African Blacks.
Participant Demographics
100 South African Blacks with hepatocellular carcinoma (11 women, 89 men; ages 20-73, median 39) and 77 healthy South African Black controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.002
Statistical Significance
p<0.002
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website