The detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC) may be improved by analyzing the novel class of serumbiomarkers constituted by IgM immune complexes of well-known
cancer antigens such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-IgM). To evaluate
the relevance of the natural immune response to AFP for HCC
diagnosis, we assessed the levels of IgM anti-AFP antibodies in
serum samples of patients with HCC and with cirrhosis (CR) using
a dedicated IgM anti-AFP assay. The assay result was compared to
the diagnostic accuracy of the AFP-IgM test.
