Prognostic Role of Basal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Suitable for Curative...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Medical Oncology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an affordable oncological marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• The prognostic role of AFP is mainly studied post-treatment, with no established basal cut-offs.
• Understanding basal AFP's role is crucial for early prognostic assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic significance of various basal AFP cut-offs on survival and HCC progression.
• To identify reliable basal AFP thresholds for predicting patient outcomes.
• To correlate basal AFP levels with clinical and tumor characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, single-center study of 266 newly diagnosed HCC patients eligible for curative treatment.
• Patients stratified by basal AFP cut-offs: 20, 200, 400, and 1000 ng/mL.
• Correlation analysis of AFP levels with survival outcomes (overall survival, recurrence-free survival) and clinical parameters.

Main Results:

• Basal AFP ≥ 1000 ng/mL significantly correlated with impaired overall survival (5-year OS: 1% vs. 43%) and reduced recurrence-free survival.
• AFP ≥ 20 ng/mL associated with HCC metastasis development; AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL linked to Child-Pugh B-C and female gender.
• Higher AFP levels correlated with larger tumor size and higher histological grade.

Conclusions:

• Basal AFP levels are significantly correlated with key outcomes in HCC patients.
• Specific basal AFP thresholds can identify patients at higher risk for worse prognosis.
• Findings suggest potential for personalized surveillance and treatment strategies based on basal AFP levels.