Immunohistochemical studies of PIVKA-II in hepatocellular carcinoma by indirect immunofluorescence.

Abstract

Tissue PIVKA-II was examined in 32 hepatocellular carcinomas and 2 metastatic liver tumors using indirect immunofluorescence, and the results were compared with the size, histological grading and serum PIVKA-II level. The specificity of this method was confirmed by the disappearance of reactivity in PLC/PRF/5 cells after the addition of vitamin K to the culture medium. Positive PIVKA-II staining was observed as a clustered or a single cell pattern only in the HCC nodules, but not in the surrounding cirrhotic tissue. PIVKA-II staining was observed in all HCC groups regardless of histological grade. There was no relationship between PIVKA-II staining and the size of HCC. PIVKA-II was detected immunohistochemically even in small HCC of patients whose plasma PIVKA-II levels were below the detection limit. These results suggest that PIVKA-II production is a specific phenotype of HCC regardless of its histological grading and demonstrate that this immunofluorescent PIVKA-II staining is more sensitive and useful than plasma PIVKA-II assay for the diagnosis of HCC.

• Authors: N Kuwahara, T Higashi, K Nouso, T Ito, T Tsuji
• Journal: Acta medica Okayama (Acta Med Okayama) Vol. 49 Issue 1 Pg. 19-24 (Feb 1995) ISSN: 0386-300X [Print] Japan
• PMID: 7762405 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Protein Precursors
• acarboxyprothrombin
• Prothrombin

Topics

• Biomarkers
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis, blood)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (blood, chemistry, pathology)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Liver Neoplasms (blood, chemistry, pathology)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Protein Precursors (analysis)
• Prothrombin (analysis)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured