Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is heterogeneous, one form binding to the lectin concanavalin A (conA) and the other not. The relative amounts, of the two forms in the serum of patients has diagnostic applications in differentiating between primary hepato-cellular carcinoma and metastatic liver disease. In 36 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the conA-nonreactive form of AFP comprised less than 20% of the total (range 1.6%-19.2%; median 8.7%), whereas in 13 patients with metastatic liver disease the conA-nonreactive form comprised more than 20% of the total (range 26.6%-91.7%; median 57.6%). Four patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with CB3717, and serial changes in the serum AFP characteristics were examined. In two patients in whom the total serum AFP concentration fell, the percentage of the conA-nonreactive fraction, initially less than 20% rose steadily. In two other patients the total serum AFP did not fall significantly and the proportion of the conA-nonreactive fraction remained below 20%.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol

Publication Date

1986

Volume

17

Pages

182 - 184

Keywords

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular, Concanavalin A, Folic Acid, Humans, Liver Neoplasms, Quinazolines, alpha-Fetoproteins