Development of lectin-based lateral flow assay for fucosylated alpha-fetoprotein.

Fucosylated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) is a more specific and sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than only the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level. Rapid and simple detection of AFP-L3 level greatly facilitates the early detection as well as the treatment of HCC, resulting in the reduction of mortality. Here, we developed a rapid and sensitive lateral flow assay (LFA) using lectin Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), which has a specific affinity to AFP-L3 fraction of AFP, as a biorecognition element for determination of the fucosylation of AFP.