Value of serum AFP-L3 in predicting recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

Objective To identify the changes of serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) and AFP-L3 levels after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),so as to evaluate the role of AFP-L3 in predicting post-operative HCC recurrence.Methods A total of 67 HCC patients who received surgical resection from Jan.2007 to Dec.2007 were enrolled in the present study.The detailed clinical data were obtained for each patient.Pre-and post-operative serum AFP and AFP-L3 levels were measured continuously,and patterns of their post-operative changes were followed up for a long-term period.Results The overall 1-,2-and 3-year recurrence rates of the patients were 23.9%(16/67),38.8%(26/67) and 50.7%(34/67),respectively.There was no relationship between serum AFP and AFP-L3 level before operation(rs=0.176,P=0.155).The pre-operation serum AFP-L3 level was significantly correlated with tumor recurrence(rs=0.327,P=0.007),but the relation between pre-operation serum AFP level and tumor recurrence was not clear yet(rs=0.240,P=0.051).Conclusion Serum AFP-L3 level is associated with HCC recurrence and therefore valuable for predicting HCC recurrence;it can provide clinicians with more information for judging the therapeutic efficacy of HCC patients.