Disease relevance of AFP

• Serum AFP concentration detected by the enzymetric test was significantly higher in dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma [1].
• In conclusion, selective hepatic ischemia results in AFP secretion by both injured and uninjured liver lobes [2].
• High serum AFP concentration also was indicative of liver involvement in 2 of 3 dogs with primary hepatic lymphosarcoma; 2 dogs had values greater than 225 ng/ml [1].
• The concentration of AFP was highest in the affected dogs, especially during the fifth stage of lymphoma [3].
• Immunohistochemical evaluation of canine primary liver carcinomas: distribution of alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, keratins and vimentin [4].

High impact information on AFP

• Alpha-fetoprotein in serum and tumor tissues in dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma [5].
• Establishment and characterization of primary canine hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines producing alpha-fetoprotein [6].
• Canine AFP was then purified from amniotic fluid using affinity chromatography with anti-dog AFP antiserum [7].
• Levels of AFP were not altered by pregnancy but did show a small peak 2 days following parturition [7].
• Serum biochemical determinations (alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, albumin, total protein, total bilirubin, and serum bile acids) and values from the 2 AFP assays were obtained for all dogs [1].

Biological context of AFP

• The effects of 3.5 hr of selective hepatic ischemia to the left (L) lobes (70% hepatic mass) of the canine liver on AFP production and liver regeneration by both L and right (R) hepatic lobes are reported [2].
• AFP and albumin show sequence homology [8].

Anatomical context of AFP

• These results suggest that both regenerating and injured hepatocytes synthesize AFP in the dog [2].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of AFP

• AFP was measured by radioimmunoassay in liver tissue homogenates and serum from both systemic and hepatic venous blood obtained preoperatively and on postoperative Days 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 [2].
• The molecular weight of canine AFP was approximately 66,000 by SDS-PAGE [7].
• These results suggested that the sandwich ELISA using anti-dog AFP antiserum was an available method for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in dogs [9].
• Chemotherapy caused a decrease in AFP serum concentration, during both the induction and the maintenance phases of treatment, when compared to the same animals before therapy [3].

References