alpha-fetoprotein in noneoplastic hepatic disorders
J. R. Bloomer, T. A. Waldmann, K. R. McIntire and G. Klatskin
Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 473
patients with biopsy-proved noneoplastic hepatic disorders; 22% had values
greater than 40 ng/ml, whereas only 1 of 350 patients with nonhepatic
benign diseases had a value greater than this. Levels exceeded 40 ng/ml in
more than 30% of patients with various types of hepatitis, and in 0% to 15%
with inactive postnecrotic cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, biliary
tract obstruction, and alcoholic liver disease. Values greater than 500
mg/ml were observed solely in viral subacute hepatic necrois. Only one
patient had a level exceeding 3,000 ng/ml, the concentration at which
alpha-fetoprotein is detectable by agar-gel diffusion. Of 75 patients with
hepatoma, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels exceeded 40 ng/ml in 69%, and
exceeded 3,000 ng/ml in 48%. These studies indicate that serum
alpha-fetoprotein levels are elevated in several nonneoplastic hepatic
disorders when a sensitive assay is used; this phenomenon may reflect
hepatic regeneration.
