Tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (Review)

Zhao,Yan-Jie; Ju,Qiang; Li,Guan-Cheng

doi:10.3892/mco.2013.119

Tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (Review)

Authors:
- Yan-Jie Zhao
- Qiang Ju
- Guan-Cheng Li
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Affiliations: Tumor Immunobiology Laboratory of Cancer Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis Ministry of Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P.R. China
Published online on: May 13, 2013 https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2013.119
Pages: 593-598

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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. HCC affects approximately one million individuals annually worldwide, with the incidence equal to the mortality rate. In 2008, HCC was listed as the third most lethal cancer. Thus, early diagnosis is crucial for improving the survival rate for patients. α-fetoprotein (AFP) together with iconography and pathology detection are commonly used in the clinical early diagnosis of liver cancer. However, the specificity and sensitivity of AFP used in screening for liver cancer are not satisfactory. Athough the development of molecular biology has led to the identification of new tumor markers, including proteantigens, cytokines, enzymes and isoenzymes, as well as related genes that can be used in the treatment and prognosis of liver cancer, more tumor markers are required for effective early diagnosis of diseases and monitoring of the curative effect.

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