Insulin-like growth factor-II is a useful marker to detect hepatocellular carcinoma?

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical hypervascular tumor. The utility of serum alpha-fetoprotein (α-FP) in its detection is questionable. Over-expression and high circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) were reported in tissue and in serum of patients with HCC.

High serum resistin in chronic viral hepatitis is not a marker of metabolic disorder.

Background/aims: The role of resistin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone, in insulin resistance and in inflammation is controversial. In chronic hepatitis C, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and liver steatosis are frequent and inconsistently correlated to circulating resistin levels. In this study we assessed if viral aetiology and host metabolic parameters influence serum resistin in patients with HCV- and HBV- related chronic hepatitis.

High circulating D-dimers are associated with ascites and hepatocellular carcinoma in liver cirrhosis.

Aim: To measure plasma D-dimer levels in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites, assessing the effect of ascites resolution in D-dimer concentration.

Methods: Seventy consecutive cirrhotic patients (M = 44, F = 26, mean age 65 years, SD +/- 13), observed from October 2005 to March 2006 were enrolled. Circulating D-dimer levels were measured using a latex-enhanced, immunoturbidimetric test.