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Serum α‐L‐fucosidase activity and early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Giardina Maria G.,
Matarazzo Margherita,
Morante Roberto,
Lucariello Antonio,
Varriale Antonio,
Guardasole Vincenzo,
Marco Giulio De
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19981215)83:12<2468::aid-cncr9>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , carcinoma , fucosidase , oncology , biochemistry , biology , glycoprotein , fucose
BACKGROUND Serum α‐L‐fucosidase activity is considered a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma. To the authors' knowledge, its clinical usefulness in the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in the follow‐up of cirrhotic patients has not been reported previously. METHODS The authors prospectively studied serum α‐L‐fucosidase activity, in addition to α‐fetoprotein and ultrasonography, in a regular screening of 132 cirrhotic patients during an 8‐year follow‐up. RESULTS At enrollment, 120 patients had low α‐L‐fucosidase activity (below the cutoff value) and 12 had high activity. All patients had serum α‐fetoprotein levels below the cutoff value. During the follow‐up, hepatocellular carcinoma was detected in 19 patients, 16 with α‐L‐fucosidase activity below the cutoff value at enrollment and 3 with activity above it. In 7 of those 16 patients with carcinoma and low enzyme activity, the enzyme activity showed a significant increase 6‐9 months before there was ultrasonographic evidence of a focal lesion, and by the time of diagnosis it had risen above the cutoff value in all of them; in only 3 of the 7 patients was the increase in α‐L‐fucosidase activity associated with an increase in α‐fetoprotein. In another 4 of the 19 patients with carcinoma, only α‐fetoprotein increased. CONCLUSIONS Serum α‐L‐fucosidase activity is useful in the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. The data from this study suggest that cirrhotic patients who have a marked increase in serum α‐L‐fucosidase levels during follow‐up should be closely monitored for signs of hepatocellular carcinoma development. Cancer 1998;83:2468‐2474. © 1998 American Cancer Society.