Tumour-specific induction of immune complexes: DCP-IgM in hepatocellular carcinoma

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation 2008-08, Vol.38 (8), p.571-577
• Main Authors: Beneduce, L., Pesce, G., Gallotta, A., Zampieri, F., Biasiolo, A., Tono, N., Boscato, N., Gatta, A., Pontisso, P., Fassina, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; alpha-Fetoproteins - analysis; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - blood; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnosis; Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; IgM immune complexes; immune surveillance; Immunoglobulin M - blood; Liver Cirrhosis - blood; Liver Neoplasms - blood; Liver Neoplasms - diagnosis; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; natural immunity; Protein Precursors - blood; Prothrombin; Tumors
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2008.01985.x

ABSTRACT Background   In the sera of liver, colorectal and prostate cancer patients, several biomarkers may be detected as IgM immune complexes. To determine whether the presence of immune complexes was correlated to an increase of IgMs, we measured the IgM content in the sera of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis, and evaluated the occurrence of des‐gamma‐carboxy prothrombin (DCP) as immune complexes (DCP‐IgM) compared to the levels of DCP and alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP). Patients and methods   Serum samples from 31 patients with cirrhosis, 33 untreated HCC patients diagnosed by ultrasound, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance and confirmed by histopathology, when indicated, and 30 healthy controls were analysed. Concentrations of IgM and DCP‐IgM were determined by ELISAs. Results   Circulating IgM in patients with HCC (median level = 1·79 mg mL−1) and cirrhosis (1·09 mg mL−1) were not significantly different (P = 0·1376) while DCP‐IgM were significantly higher in HCC patients (median level = 2171·2 AU mL−1) than in those with cirrhosis (1152 AU mL−1, P = 0·0047). No correlation was found between DCP‐IgM and IgM in HCC (r = 0·227) and cirrhosis patients (r = 0·475). DPC‐IgM was positive in 55% (18/33) of HCC patients and in 26% (8/31) of cirrhosis patients compared to 39% and 26% for DCP and 48% and 13% for AFP. DCP‐IgM, DCP and AFP tests had 100% specificity in healthy controls. Conclusions   DCP‐IgM in HCC patients was not associated with an increase in IgM concentration. DCP‐IgM was more frequently detected in HCC patients than DCP and AFP, strengthening the diagnostic role of IgM immune complexes for liver cancer.