Alpha-foetoprotein during chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

During induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats with 3'MeDAB (3'methyl-dimethyl-aminoazobenzene) and Aflatoxin B1 alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) could already be demonstrated in the serum in the early phase of carcinogen administration. In this period the liver showed livercell necrosis but no tumour formation. The AFP level in the induction phase was correlated with the degree of livercell necrosis. The detection of AFP during the induction period is of importance as it is followed by a high frequency of liver tumours in later phases. The AFP concentration in the tumour phase was not related in any histological feature of the tumour; however, the mean AFP concentration in cases of HCC combined with cirrhosis was much higher than in cases of HCC without cirrhosis. Some rats with HCC showed AFP-negative sera, but AFP-positive bile.