SCCA-IgM in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization: gender-related differences

Aim:Squamous cell carcinoma antigen immune-complexed with immunoglobulin M (SCCA-IgM) is a useful but not completely satisfactory biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Considering its gender-specific behavior in preclinical models, we investigated gender-related differences of SCCA-IgM as a prognostic marker in HCC.Patients & methods:Two hundred and eight prospectively recruited patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization in a single tertiary care hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Correlations between SCCA-IgM levels, clinical characteristics and survival were assessed according to gender.Results:When the disease was advanced, SCCA-IgM was higher in males and lower in females. Levels below 130 AU/ml predicted a significantly longer survival in males (p = 0.007) and a shorter survival in females (p = 0.01).Conclusion:In predicting the prognosis of HCC patients, the interpretation of SCCA-IgM should consider gender as a relevant variable.