By examining blood concentrations in Chinese patients with cirrhosis of the liver due to a hepatitis B virus infection, the investigators found that the quantities of two particular sugar groups that appear in the blood proteins varied according to the stage of the disease. Furthermore, these values correlated with the size of the tumor. The ratio of these values forms the basis of the new blood test.
The researchers report that they were able to make the correct diagnosis in 70% of the cases. This success rate equals that of the AFP tumor marker currently being used in the clinic. The AFP marker is reportedly the only one for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The scientists say that AFP has low specificity and is frequently inadequate because of false-positive results.
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