Serum alpha-L-fucosidase. A useful marker in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background and methods: The value of serum alpha-L-fucosidase activity in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated by determining the enzyme activity levels in 21 patients with HCC, 76 patients with cirrhosis, 22 patients with other malignant neoplasms, and 23 healthy subjects.

Results: The serum alpha-L-fucosidase activity level in patients with HCC (575.76 +/- 212.86 nmol/ml/h) was significantly higher than that found in patients with cirrhosis (274.55 +/- 138.97 nmol/ml/h; P less than 0.001) or other neoplasms (257.91 +/- 128.12 nmol/ml/h; P less than 0.001) and in controls (221.23 +/- 114.45 nmol/ml/h; P less than 0.001). No significant differences were found between controls and patients with cirrhosis and between controls and patients with other malignant neoplasms. When 443 nmol/ml/h is taken as the cutoff value (mean value of controls plus 2 standard deviations), alpha-L-fucosidase sensitivity and specificity were 76% and 90.9%, respectively.

Conclusions: These results suggest that alpha-L-fucosidase is a useful marker for detecting HCC, in conjunction with alpha-fetoprotein and ultrasonography.