BACKGROUND: The significantly higher serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) than in non-FA aplastic patients has potential diagnostic utility, but the increase is method-dependent. The aim of this study was to compare five AFP assays on FA and non-FA samples and to investigate possible explanations for FA-specific discrepancies. METHODS: Two methods available in our laboratory (Kryptor and IMx) were compared on 59 FA and 27 non-FA patient samples. Kryptor, Immulite, Elecsys, Immuno-I, and Elsa-2 methods were then compared on 14 FA and 14 non-FA patient samples. The AFP glycosylation profile was analyzed by electrophoretic separation in a lectin-containing gel. RESULTS: With all six methods, AFP values were significantly higher in FA than in non-FA patients, but the diagnostic precision and optimal cutoff values varied. Indeed, two methods reached 100% sensitivity and specificity, but in other methods, one or both of these parameters were significantly <100%. Neither heterophilic antibodies nor a specific glycosylation profile was detected in FA samples. CONCLUSIONS: AFP results are method-dependent in FA. New methods must be evaluated before use in differential diagnosis of aplastic patients.
BACKGROUND: The significantly higher serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) than in non-FA aplasticpatients has potential diagnostic utility, but the increase is method-dependent. The aim of this study was to compare five AFP assays on FA and non-FA samples and to investigate possible explanations for FA-specific discrepancies. METHODS: Two methods available in our laboratory (Kryptor and IMx) were compared on 59 FA and 27 non-FA patient samples. Kryptor, Immulite, Elecsys, Immuno-I, and Elsa-2 methods were then compared on 14 FA and 14 non-FA patient samples. The AFP glycosylation profile was analyzed by electrophoretic separation in a lectin-containing gel. RESULTS: With all six methods, AFP values were significantly higher in FA than in non-FA patients, but the diagnostic precision and optimal cutoff values varied. Indeed, two methods reached 100% sensitivity and specificity, but in other methods, one or both of these parameters were significantly <100%. Neither heterophilic antibodies nor a specific glycosylation profile was detected in FA samples. CONCLUSIONS:AFP results are method-dependent in FA. New methods must be evaluated before use in differential diagnosis of aplasticpatients.