Title: Significance of PIVKA-II in sorafenib therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Abstract:We investigated changes in tumor markers before and after sorafenib therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Subjects were 28 patients who began sorafenib therapy. HCC stage was III (n=5),...We investigated changes in tumor markers before and after sorafenib therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Subjects were 28 patients who began sorafenib therapy. HCC stage was III (n=5), IVA (n=10) and IVB (n=13). AFP, AFP-L3 and PIVKA-II were compared before and at one month after sorafenib administration. While no significant changes were observed for AFP and AFP-L3, PIVKA-II increased significantly following treatment (p<0.001). Similar results were observed for investigation of outcomes based on RECIST criteria (PR, n=1; SD, n=18; PD, n=9), with increases also observed for PR or SD patients. PIVKA-II increased following sorafenib administration regardless of therapeutic effects based on imaging findings. The present results are very interesting from the perspective of the clinical effects of sorafenib.Read More