ABSTRACT
Objective This is the first study to explore clinical application value of serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) detection in diagnosis of heptocellular carcinoma (HCC) by magnetic solid phase chemiluminescent immunoassay.Methods The level of serum DKK-1 and AFP in 205 cases of HCC,40 cases of liver cirrhosis,and 200 cases of healthy control were quantitatively detected by Magnetic solid phase chemiluminescent immunoassay.The area under ROC curve,sensitivity and specificity of DKK-1 and AFP for diagnosing HCC were calculated.Results The serum level of DKK-1 in HCC group was significantly higher than those of the liver cirrhosis group and healthy control group (P<0.01).DKK-1 maintained diagnostic sensitivity for patients with HCC who were alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) negative (66.3%).ROC curves showed optimum diagnostic cut-off value was 2.4 ng/mL,area under curve (AUC) was 0.822 (95% CI:0.783-0.856),sensitivity 65.9%,and specificity 87.5%).Moreover,measurement of DKK1 and AFP together improved diagnostic accuracy for HCC versus all controls compared with either test alone [AUC 0.915,95%CI:0.886-0.940),sensitivity 81.5 %(P<0.05)].Conclusion Serum DKK-1 detection has an important clinical value for diagnosis of HCC,especially for HCC with AFP negative.The combined detection of serum DKK-1 and AFP can greatly increase sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosing HCC.