Introduction. Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker that has been widely used for HCC, but there has been no increased AFP in 35-45% patients with HCC. Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) is an abnormal prothrombin secreted in HCC and is expected can be used for HCC diagnostic marker. The objective of this study was to compare serum PIVKA-II levels in the patients with HCC, cirrhosis and healthy control and determine the diagnostic value of PIVKA-II for hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods. This was a cross-section analytic observational study to identify the diagnostic value of PIVKA-II for HCC diagnosis. The diagnosis of 20 cirrhotic patients and 15 patients with HCC was established by history taking, physical examination, and additional examination according to the diagnosis criteria. A group of 12 individuals with normal liver function were used as healthy control subjects. Serum PIVKA-II levels were analyzed with immunoassay method. Comparison study used the Independent-Samples Kruskal Wallis Test. ROC curve analysis and 2x2 contingency table was used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV).Results. The serum PIVKA-II level in the patients with HCC was significantly higher than in cirrhotic (p = 0,000) and healthy control patients (p = 0,000). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of PIVKA-II for diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients at a cut-off value of 140.85 mAU/mL were 93.33%, 75%, 73.68%, and 93.75%, respectively (AUC = 0.87).Conclusions and Suggestions. PIVKA-II has high diagnostic value for HCC diagnosis. Diagnostic test that compare serum PIVKA-II level in any size of HCC nodules may be needed in the future.
Absence of telomerase activity and telomerase catalytic subunit mRNA in melanocyte cultures