(The) serum concentration of $alpha_1$-antitrypsinof hepatoma patients and alpha-fetoprotein positive humans

Abstract

$\textrm{Alpha}_1$-antitrypsin has been considered as an additional biochemical tumor marker for the diagnosis of hepatoma. In this study, the serum levels of alpha-antitrypsin were tested by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in three different Korean groups. The distribution of the serum levels of normal humans was from 1.0 to 3.0 mg/ml and the average serum level was 1.7 mg/ml. Hepatoma patients, however, tested to elevated levels of the protein. 70% of the patients have more than 3.5 mg.ml of alpha-antitrypsin in their sera. In the case of alpha-fetoprotein positive humans (＞ 700 ng), more than 90% showed elevated levels of he protein considering that only about 60% of the hepatoma patients has alpha-fetoprotein in their sera, $^{25}$ it can be concluded that $\textrm{alpha}_1$-antitrypsin should be used as a maker together with alpha-fetoprotein to increase the efficiency of the diagnosis of hepatoma.