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| Significance of alpha-fetoprotein mRNA level in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with radiofrequency ablation |
| Xi-Lin Du, Qing-Jiu Ma, Tao Wu, Guo-Qiang Bao, Jian-Guo Lu and Yan-Kui Chu |
Xi'an, China
Author Affiliations: Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China (Du XL, Ma QJ, Wu T, Bao GQ, Lu JG and Chu YK)
Corresponding Author: Xi-Lin Du, MD, Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China (Tel: 86-29-84777732; Fax: 86-29-84777732; Email: dxlin0705@163.com) |
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Abstract BACKGROUND: Many methods are used to treat liver cancer. Among them, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a hot topic because of its advantages. This study was designed to determine the significance of blood alpha-fetoprotein mRNA (AFPmRNA) changes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with RFA.
METHODS: The AFPmRNA content in blood samples from HCC patients was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before RFA and 48 hours, 72 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks later.
RESULTS: The blood of 183 patients was negative for AFPmRNA before RFA, but that of 62 of them was positive 72 hours later, then returned to negative after 2 weeks. The blood of 129 patients was positive for AFPmRNA before RFA, but that of 112 of them became negative 2 weeks later; 17 patients were still AFPmRNA positive 2 weeks after RFA.
CONCLUSIONS: Blood AFPmRNA, which is increased temporarily after RFA, can be used as an objective index for the persistence and recurrence of HCC after RFA.
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2007, Vol. 6 
