1984 Volume 40 Issue 3 Pages 359-362
Using a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for alphafetoprotein (AFP), AFP content in extracts of normal human liver tissue, and tumor tissue from hepatoma and gastric carcinoma were measured, and the values obtained were compared with AFP levels in serum samples obtained prior to surgery. In 13 patients with hepatoma, the AFP content of the tissue extracts ranged from 20 to 15,400 ng/g wet weight and 2 patients with gastric carcinoma giving AFP-positive serum had values of 50 and 2,600 ng/g wet weight respectively. A highly significant positive correlation (r=0.82,P<0.01) was observed between the tissue content (in ng/g wet weight) and serum levels (in ng/ml) of AFP in these 15 patients. Dilution curves of extracts from tumors were parallel with the standard curve for the AFP RIA system, but the AFP levels were undetectable in 2 samples of normal human liver tissue (less than 20 ng/g wet weight). It is concluded that the measurement of tissue AFP is useful for confirming AFP-producing tumors and for evaluating the prognosis and clinical course of the disease.
