Molecular Markers of Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Molecular markers of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were studied in seventy-five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent hepatectomy in the past 3 years. The serum concentration of thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), and D-dimer were analyzed. We investigated the relation between those markers and the clinicopathological findings. The average levels (±S.E.) of TAT, PIC, and D-dimer were 4.49±0.58μg/l, 1.36±0.07μg/ml, and 1.325±0.270μg/ml, respectively, all slightly above the normal ranges. The serum levels of the molecular markers closely correlated with the tumor stage and intrahepatic metastases. However, there was no correlation with the pathological degree of chronic changes of the liver parenchyma, differentiation of HCC cells, capsular formation, or portal vein involvement. Progression of the intrahepatic metastases of HCC are suggested to be related to the acceleration of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis.