Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular liver health check-ups
- Avoiding alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Blutwerte · Marker
AFP
Alpha-Fetoprotein · AFP
Tumormarker & Screening
- Einheit:
- ng/mL
AFP measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein, a glycoprotein associated with fetal development and certain liver conditions.
Reference Ranges
Reference
0–10ng/mL
0
10
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · ng/mLRanges may vary based on liver function and disease state.
Overview
Übersicht
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein primarily produced during fetal development by the liver and yolk sac. It plays a crucial role in immune regulation and maintaining immune balance during pregnancy. Postnatally, AFP levels decrease significantly and its gene transcription is suppressed. However, AFP can be re-expressed in adults in response to liver injury, regeneration, or malignant transformation, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Clinically, AFP is a well-established biomarker for HCC screening and prognosis. Elevated AFP levels are associated with liver diseases such as HCC and certain germ cell tumors. It is used to monitor disease progression and treatment efficacy. AFP's role extends beyond a biomarker; it is involved in immune modulation, promoting tumorigenesis, and is being explored as a therapeutic target in HCC. In the context of athletic performance, biohacking, or longevity, AFP is not directly relevant. Its primary use is in medical diagnostics rather than performance optimization or longevity enhancement. However, monitoring AFP could be relevant for individuals with liver health concerns. Caveats include the influence of liver necroinflammation, etiology of liver disease, and cut-off levels on AFP's accuracy. Researchers found that combining AFP with other markers like PIVKA-II improves diagnostic accuracy. Time-of-day and fasting are not significant confounders, but liver function and disease state are critical factors affecting AFP levels.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated AFP levels indicate liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma or germ cell tumors. Low AFP levels are typically not clinically significant postnatally.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising AFP values suggest worsening liver disease or recurrence of cancer. Re-test in 4 weeks if levels are elevated.
Falling Values
Falling AFP values may indicate successful treatment or resolution of liver disease.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Liver cirrhosis
- Germ cell tumors
- Chronic hepatitis
- Liver regeneration
Cause
Low Levels
- Normal postnatal levels
- Successful cancer treatment
- Absence of liver disease
- Non-pregnant state
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Consuming a liver-friendly diet
- Increasing antioxidant-rich foods
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially if liver disease is suspected.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Testing Frequency
As recommended by a healthcare provider based on liver health status.
Interfering Factors
- Liver inflammation
- Pregnancy
- Recent liver surgery
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the optimal cut-off levels for AFP in diagnosing and monitoring hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain debated, particularly regarding confounding factors such as liver necroinflammation and disease etiology. Researchers have not yet established standardized reference ranges for AFP and its combinations with other biomarkers like PIVKA-II and DCP. Additionally, clinical questions remain unanswered about the effectiveness of these combinations in detecting early HCC and refining liver transplant eligibility criteria.
20 Research Publications
1,423
Total Citations
4
Human/RCT
5.5
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
The Performance of AFP, AFP-3, DCP as Biomarkers for Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): A Phase 3 Biomarker Study in the United States.
Tayob Nabihah, et al. · Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · 2023
HumanInfluence17.0
190
This phase 3 study evaluated the performance of AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection. Researchers found that GALAD had the highest true positive rate for HCC detection but also increased false-positive results. The study concluded that while GALAD improved sensitivity, its performance was modest compared to other biomarkers.
Key findings
- 01GALAD demonstrated a higher true positive rate for detecting HCC compared to individual biomarkers.
- 02The use of GALAD resulted in an increased rate of false positives.
- 03The performance of GALAD was not significantly better than that of AFP-L3 alone or the HES scoring system.
02Top
#02
PIVKA-II serves as a potential biomarker that complements AFP for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
HumanInfluence6.0
156
This study assessed the diagnostic value of PIVKA-II as a complementary biomarker to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Researchers found that PIVKA-II levels were significantly elevated in HCC patients compared to benign liver disease and healthy controls. The combination of PIVKA-II and AFP improved diagnostic efficiency, particularly for AFP-negative HCC patients.
03Top
#03
Elevated alpha-fetoprotein: differential diagnosis - hepatocellular carcinoma and other disorders.
ReviewInfluence3.0
153
This study focused on the differential diagnosis of elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other disorders. Researchers found that combining AFP-L3 with DCP can improve risk assessment for HCC. The findings suggest that monitoring these biomarkers can help predict disease progression and recurrence.
04
#04
Alpha-fetoprotein: a renaissance.
ReviewInfluence3.0
140
This review summarized the historical and recent advancements in the study of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a tumor-specific biomarker. Researchers observed that despite past limitations, new technologies have reignited interest in AFP research, revealing its potential in cancer diagnostics. The study emphasizes the need for further exploration of AFP's biological roles.
05
#05
Effects of alpha-fetoprotein on the occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
ReviewInfluence6.0
139
This review examined the effects of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Researchers found that elevated AFP levels are common in HCC patients and that AFP plays a complex role in regulating cell proliferation and immune response. The study suggests further exploration of AFP's role in HCC development.
06
#06
Utility of combining PIVKA-II and AFP in the surveillance and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia-Pacific region.
UnknownInfluence5.0
133
This study evaluated the combined use of PIVKA-II and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for monitoring hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the Asia-Pacific region. Researchers found that PIVKA-II is valuable for detecting HCC in AFP-negative patients and can enhance early detection when used with AFP. The study emphasizes the need for further evidence to support routine use of PIVKA-II in HCC surveillance.
07
#07
AFP-L3 and DCP strongly predict early hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation.
Norman Joshua S, et al. · Journal of hepatology · 2023
HumanInfluence13.0
131
This prospective study investigated the predictive value of AFP-L3 and DCP in identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation. Researchers found that a dual-biomarker combination of AFP-L3 and DCP significantly outperformed AFP alone in predicting recurrence. The findings suggest that these biomarkers could refine liver transplant eligibility criteria.
Key findings
- 01AFP-L3 and DCP outperformed AFP in predicting liver cancer recurrence after transplantation.
- 02A combination of AFP-L3 ≥15% and DCP ≥7.5 predicted 61.1% of recurrences.
- 03Patients with high levels of both biomarkers had a significantly lower chance of remaining cancer-free after three years.
08
#08
Alpha-fetoprotein: a review.
ReviewInfluence2.0
120
This review discussed the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in fetal development and its use in monitoring certain malignancies. Researchers found that elevated maternal serum AFP levels can indicate fetal abnormalities and that AFP remains a useful biomarker for cancer recurrence. The study also highlights the importance of standard protocols for AFP testing.
09
#09
Alpha-fetoprotein: Past, present, and future.
ReviewInfluence2.0
72
This review examined the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in immune regulation and its significance as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Researchers found that AFP is a powerful prognostic biomarker and can be used to monitor treatment responses in HCC. The study also highlights the potential of AFP as a therapeutic target in HCC.
10
#10
Alpha-fetoprotein for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Transplant Selection.
Trevisani Franco, et al. · Seminars in liver disease · 2019
ReviewInfluence2.0
68
This review analyzed the utility of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis and prognosis. Researchers found that AFP remains the most utilized biomarker for HCC and is valuable in selecting candidates for liver transplantation. The study emphasizes its importance in predicting cancer recurrence.
Key findings
- 01AFP remains the most widely used biomarker for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- 02The study emphasizes AFP's significance in assessing prognosis for patients receiving treatment for HCC.
- 03Incorporating AFP into transplant criteria can help identify patients at higher risk of cancer recurrence.
Publication Trend
Research publications about AFP over time
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