Alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP, is a unique protein infants produce as they develop in their mother’s womb. It originates in the embryonic liver and other organs. In adults, if the AFP values go above certain limits, it means there could be some disorders, specifically some forms of malignancy like liver cancer or germ cell tumors.
Physicians frequently order a check for AFP levels to determine whether someone has these concerns. In addition, when a person has higher African American levels, it may indicate that their cancer is likely to be more advanced or aggressive and that without treatment, the life expectancy is expected to be shorter. This is why AFP levels are highly monitored; they assist physicians in identifying the best possible treatment for their patients and evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment.
The blog “AFP Levels and Cancer Prognosis: What Do the Studies Say?” states that AFP is an excellent device for physicians to help patients remain healthy.
AFP Levels: What’s The Meaning?
Alpha-fetoprotein, or just AFP, is usually synthesized by infants developing in their mothers. The average amount found in the blood of a normal adult does, however, vary, with ten nanograms per milliliter being the most common level expected and, in some cases, even lower than that. Higher levels of AFP may indicate an abnormality in the liver or even some forms of cancer, which could be liver cancer as well.
When Should One Get the AFP Test Done?
The AFP test was used to detect abnormalities in individuals. This test is quite helpful for individuals who are likely to develop liver cancer in the future. A higher than normal amount may also prove the presence of tumors in the liver or aid in the response towards liver cancer treatment. There is also a possibility of having another form of cancer, for instance, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, and so on, if a patient has high levels of AFP. In a nutshell, it is about having insight into doctors on what is happening within the body and the ability to monitor and even track it through AFP.
AFP Levels and Cancer Prognosis
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Its measurement requires alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The higher the AFP levels, the more challenging the treatment.
- Prognostic Significance: The correlation between AFP and the prognosis of patients with HCC is highly damaging. The study done on 78,743 patients showed a direct correlation between the level of AFP and the tumor size. This demonstrates the relationship between AFP and tumor size regarding treatment and recovery.
- Survival Rates Based on AFP Levels: Those with low levels of less than 10 ng/mL had a life expectancy of about 709 days, whereas those with less than 1000 ng/mL had a survival of only approximately 68 days. Hence, it is essential to evaluate the AFP levels of the patients while managing them with HCC.
Other Cancers
AFP is a crucial protein produced by the yolk sac and liver, playing a vital role in identifying specific types of cancer. One type of cancer-related to this cancer biomarker is German cell tumors, also abbreviated as GCTs. These tumors can occur in gonads such as the testis or ovary. Higher amounts of AFP commonly indicate a higher chance someone may also have a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor, a subtype under GCTs. Some research suggests that the treatment response is less favorable in cases with very high AFP levels before treatment.
Patients with elevated levels of AFP are not only associated with GCTs but also with several other forms of cancer, including ovarian and testicular cancer. But even though there are high levels of AFP, this does not necessarily mean that a patient has cancer; instead, it suggests to the physician that there might be another reason why the patient may be high, which requires further assessment. This assists them in making the right decision regarding the most appropriate management for the patient.
Implications for Treatment Decisions
Alpha-fetoprotein testing aids the management of patients diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Abnormal levels of AFP are evaluated to assess the response to treatment. Elevated AFP levels depict either disease progression or lack of effective control. Decreased AFP levels, however, forecast treatment success, inferring a reduction in tumor size. In this case, the AFP level can also prompt the physician to seek more invasive, effective modalities.
Some works emphasize that AFP dropping 75% or more is a good prognostic indicator, showing a correlation between that marker and better survival rates for patients diagnosed with the disease. It does seem to predict the extent of the cancer’s spread and better treatment outcomes. This demonstrates an even better timing strategy while evaluating the effectiveness of coupled biological markers for liver cancer management.
Apart from treatment follow-up, AFP levels are also included in systems assisting doctors in assessing the cancer stage. For instance, systems such as the Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) and the Chinese University Prognostic Index (CUPI) consider AFP to assist in estimating patients’ outcomes and the best therapies for them.
Patients who demonstrate marked reductions in AFP degree most often have a better prognosis than those with high AFP levels post-treatment. This makes AFP a valuable criterion for planning in such circumstances in liver cancer patients and improving their quality of care.
Conclusion
Alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP for short, is a peculiar protein that enables doctors to monitor patients’ progress with specific cancer types, such as liver and germ cell tumors. It is common for patients with blood high on AFP to have a more challenging time recovering from cancer, which is why doctors constantly focus on measuring AFP.
AFP-level examinations are critical for diagnosing cancer and effectively monitoring treatment progress. Unfavorable results or a drop in AFP levels indicate that treatment was effective; however, the opposite is true, where positive results indicate poor cancer control or, worse, a progressive element of the disease.
Scientists now know that different types of cancer have some form of strengthening or weakening influence on AFP secretion. Understanding these complex molecular interactions enhances oncologist decision-making in managing cancer patients. For instance, altering treatment for patients who are known to have high AFP concentrations would be beneficial.
To conclude, although high levels of AFP do not necessarily indicate that a person has cancer, they are crucial markers when assessing the potential aggressiveness of the tumor and the efficiency of treatment. Future investigations will continue to explore the links and target the patients more effectively and individually.
Incorporating AFP blood levels into the treatment plan can help doctors ensure that cancer patients receive the best treatment.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3200479/
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/alpha-fetoprotein-afp-tumor-marker-test/
https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(19)54591-4/fulltext
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9277009/
https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(19)54591-4/fulltext
https://cancer.ca/en/treatments/tests-and-procedures/alpha-fetoprotein-afp