Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39905360›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

PIVKA-II as a surrogate biomarker for therapeutic response in Non-AFP-secreting hepatocellular carcinoma.

San-Chi Chen, Hsiang-Ling Ho, Chien-An Liu, Yi-Ping Hung, Nai-Jung Chiang, Ming-Huang Chen, Yee Chao, Muh-Hwa Yang

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Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

San-Chi ChenInstitute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 201 Shipai Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hsiang-Ling HoDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chien-An LiuDepartment of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yi-Ping HungInstitute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 201 Shipai Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan.
Nai-Jung ChiangSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Ming-Huang ChenInstitute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 201 Shipai Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yee ChaoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Central Clinical & Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Muh-Hwa YangInstitute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 201 Shipai Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan. mhyang2@vghtpe.gov.tw.

Funding

Ministry of Health and Welfare MOHW110-TDU-B-211-144019Taipei Veterans General Hospital VGHTPE V113C-148
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but 30-40% of cases are AFP-negative. Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II) is more sensitive for HCC detection, though its role in systemic therapy remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate PIVKA-II in non-AFP-secreting HCC treated with systemic therapy.

methodsPatients with unresectable HCC undergoing systemic therapy were enrolled. Baseline imaging and PIVKA-II levels were recorded. After 8-12 weeks of treatment, response was evaluated through imaging and repeat PIVKA-II measurements.

resultsA total of 116 treatment assessments from 61 cases were analyzed. Baseline PIVKA-II levels correlated with tumor size, but not tumor number or liver function. PIVKA-II regression (≥ 50% reduction) and progression (≥ 50% increase) were defined using ROC analysis. Imaging showed 71.0% objective response in the regression group, 50.0% stable disease in the stable group, and 83.7% progressive disease in the progression group (p < 0.001). This association held for targeted therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chemotherapy. Progression-free survival (PFS) for the regression, stable, and progression groups was non-reached, 6.7, and 3.2 months (p = 0.0002), and overall survival (OS) was non-reached, non-reached, and 18.5 months (p = 0.02).

conclusionsThis study is the first to establish the "50-50 rule" for PIVKA-II response in non-AFP-secreting HCC treated with systemic therapy, highlighting its value as a surrogate marker for radiological outcomes and prognosis.

Indexed as

BiomarkersBiomarkers, TumorCarcinoma, HepatocellularLiver NeoplasmsProtein PrecursorsAdultAgedalpha-FetoproteinsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisProthrombinTreatment OutcomeacarboxyprothrombinAFP protein, humanalpha-FetoproteinsBiomarkersBiomarkers, TumorProtein PrecursorsProthrombinAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP)BiomarkerDes-γ-carbonylated prothrombin (DCP)Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)PIVKA-II

Identifiers

PMID39905360
PMCPMC11792300

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.