Chinese expert consensus statement on the clinical application of AFP/AFP-L3%/DCP using GALAD and GALAD-like algorithm in HCC

Abstract

Background: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent world-wide malignancies. Half of the newly developed HCC occurs in China. Optimizing the strategies for high-risk surveillance and early diagnosis are pivotal for improving 5-year survival. Constructing the scientific non-invasive detection technologies feasible for medical and healthcare institutions is among the key routes for elevating the efficacies of HCC identification and follow-up.

Results: Based on the Chinese and international guidelines, expert consensus statements, literatures and evidence-based clinical practice experiences, this consensus statement puts forward the clinical implications, application subjects, detection techniques and results interpretations of the triple-biomarker (AFP, AFP-L3%, DCP) based GALAD, GALAD like models for liver cancer.

Conclusions: The compile of this consensus statement aims to address and push the reasonable application of the triple-biomarker (AFP, AFP-L3%, DCP) detections thus to maximize the clinical benefits and help improving the high risk surveillance, early diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.

Keywords: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP); alpha-fetoprotein-L3% (AFP-L3%); des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP); gender-age-AFP-L3%-AFP-DCP (GALAD) model; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).