抄録
Human AFP molecule has one asparagine-linked sugar chain. Recently, the difference in these sugar chain exists between several diseases, has been revealed. In order to study changes in these sugar chains, Con A, LCA and PHA-E4 lectins have been used. By Con A lectin-binding analysis of AFP, it was possible to distinguish HCC from YST and metastatic liver cancer, but impossible to differentiate HCC from liver cirrhosis. By LCA and PHA-E4 lectin-binding analyses of AFP, HCC was distinguished from liver cirrhosis in many cases. The increase of LCA or PHA-E4 bound AFP fraction strongly suggested HCC development in very near future in the patients with liver cirrhosis.
