Alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin at twenty-four weeks after interferon-based therapy predict hepatocellular carcinoma development

Table 3 The levels of alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin with development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with sustained virological response

	Patients with SVR (n = 75)	Non HCC (n = 63)	HCC (n = 12)	P-value1
AFP levels at pretreatment (ng/mL)	16.1 ± 20.2	17.8 ± 22.2	12.6 ± 14.9	NS
AFP levels at the end of IFN treatment (ng/mL)	13.7 ± 47.8	17.9 ± 57.8	5.1 ± 1.8	NS
AFP levels at 24 wk after IFN treatment (ng/mL)	6.7 ± 10.0	5.8 ± 4.1	8.0 ± 15.1	NS
Pre DCP levels at pretreatment (mAU/mL)	93.7 ± 374.1	131.3 ± 481.4	40.3 ± 69.8	NS
Post DCP levels at the end of IFN treatment (mAU/mL)	140.0 ± 637.9	226.9 ± 864.2	42.1 ± 83.3	NS
24 wk DCP levels at 24 wk after IFN treatment (mAU/mL)	33.9 ± 52.6	28.9 ± 37.4	39.3 ± 66.5	NS

Data are expressed as number (%) or mean ± SD.

¹Comparison between non HCC and HCC. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein; DCP: Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin; NS: Not significant; SVR: Sustained virological response.