ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN DEPOSITION IN PRIMARY HEPATIC CARCINOMAS

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (5) , 232-236
Abstract
With the use of immunoperoxidase methods, paraffin-embedded hepatic tissue from 21 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma was tested for .alpha.1-antitrypsin (AAT) deposition and was compared for sensitivity with the PAS [periodic acid Schiff] reaction. Specific AAT immunoreactivity was present in tumor cells in half of the test cases, either alone or in combination with positive nonneoplastic hepatocytes. While the PAS findings paralleled the specific immunohistochemical studies, the latter technique exhibited greater sensitivity in AAT detection. Cytoplasmic tumor cell inclusions of 3 types were identified, but only 1 type, the solid, represented immunoreactive AAT deposits. These findings confirm an association between hepatic deposition of AAT and the occurrence of primary liver carcinoma. Further prospective serum and tissue studies on patients with hepatoma are needed to extend these observations.

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