Abnormal plasma prothrombin (PIVKA-II) levels in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

The concentration of abnormal prothrombin, or the protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) in 102 patients with hepatic disorders was measured by an enzyme immunoassay method. The concentration of PIVKA-II in the plasma was elevated in 11 out of 18 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and also in a patient with hepatoblastoma. There was no correlation between serum alpha-fetoprotein and plasma PIVKA-II levels. The PIVKA-II level was normal in 11 patients who had metastatic carcinoma or cholangiocellular carcinoma. Moreover, benign diseases of the liver did not cause an elevation in PIVKA-II. PIVKA-II might be an useful marker of hepatocellular carcinoma because, like alpha-fetoprotein, its level changes in close relation to the effects of treatment.

Abnormal Prothrombin (PIVKA-II) Expression in Canine Tissues as an Indicator of Anticoagulant Poisoning

“…PIVKA-II is also considered a retrospective indicator of vitamin K status [ 2 ]. All of these applications have been extensively investigated in human medicine where PIVKA-II serum concentrations are demonstrated to be increased in coagulation disorders and in some neoplastic disease such as in hepatocellular carcinoma [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ] and pancreatic cancers [ 10 ]. During the process of malignant transformation in hepatocytes, PIVKA-II is produced as a defect in posttranslational carboxylation [ 11 ].…”

Role of surgical treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection

“…Ail 133 patients were followed in our outpatient clinic. Liver function tests and alpha-feto protein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and PIVKA-II studies [7,8] were performed every 1 to 3 months. Ultrasonography (US)and/or computed tomography (CT) was performed every 3 to 6 months.…”