Evaluation of hepatoma chemotherapy by alpha-fetoprotein determination.

Effects of chemotherapy on twenty-nine histologically proved and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) -positive hepatomas were evaluated by changes in serum AFP levels according to the criteria of our previous report. By transfemoral local infusion of mitomycin C, six of eight patients showed more than 50 per cent decrease of AFP levels and regression of the tumor, and the others showed fair effects. By single shot infusion, 50 per cent decrease of serum AFP levels and tumor regression were noted only in three of thirteen patients, and chemotherapy by systemic infusion in eight patients was much less effective. As evaluated by AFP levels, histologically well or moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas responded better to chemotherapy than poorly differentiated ones.