The ratio of fucosylation of alpha-fetoprotein in hepatoblastoma.

Hepatoblastoma differs from the adult type of hepatoma in clinical and pathologic features. The ratio of fucosylation of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was determined in seven patients with hepatoblastoma and in 21 infants and children with otherwise elevated serum AFP, using the improved technique of lentil agglutinin-affinity immunoelectrophoresis. The clinical data for the seven patients with hepatoblastoma were also reviewed. The ratio of fucosylation of AFP was significantly higher in all seven patients with hepatoblastoma, whereas it was minimal in all other cases of benign hepatic conditions such as neonatal hepatitis or biliary atresia, as well as in normal newborns. The ratio of fucosylation in hepatoblastoma, however, definitely decreased with the age of the patient at presentation. This finding suggests a correlation between fucosylation and a rapid rate of tumor growth, because all hepatoblastomas are believed to originate early in fetal life.