α1-Antitrypsin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic active hepatitis

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Abstract
A total of 47 Italian patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 58 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) were screened for .alpha.1-antitrypsin (.alpha.1AT) levels and types and compared with a previously screened healthy Italian population. Serum .alpha.1AT concentrations were significantly raised among the HCC patients compared to the controls; the CAH group showed no differences. The incidence of non-M phenotypes (MS, MZ and S) is significantly higher in patients with HCC than in the CAH group and the controls. The mean age of HCC patients with a non-M phenotype is significantly lower than the mean age of HCC patients with an M phenotype.