Objectives: In this study we correlate plasma des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels with prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in combination with serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFP).
Methods: Levels of DCP were measured in 165 patients with HCC by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA, E-1023) with an anti-DCP monoclonal antibody.
Results: There was no correlation between the plasma DCP levels and the serum AFP levels. The positive rate obtained from the combination assay was 72.1%. The survival rates of the patients with elevated levels of both DCP and AFP were significantly lower than those of the groups with normal DCP and AFP levels (p < 0.05). The disease-free survival rates of patients with elevated DCP and AFP levels were also significantly lower than those of patients with normal DCP and AFP levels (p < 0.05). The recurrence rate within a postoperative period of 2 yr was higher in the patients with elevated DCP and AFP levels than in those with normal levels.
Conclusions: The determination of plasma DCP levels combined with AFP levels appears to be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC, and is useful also in postoperative monitoring for recurrence.