Des-gamma carboxyprothrombin

Des-gamma carboxyprothrombin (DCP), also known as protein induced by vitamin K absence/antagonist-II (PIVKA-II), is an abnormal form of the coagulation protein, prothrombin. Normally, the prothrombin precursor undergoes post-translational carboxylation (addition of a carboxylic acid group) by gamma-glutamyl carboxylase in the liver prior to secretion into plasma. DCP/PIVKA-II may be detected in people with deficiency of vitamin K (due to poor nutrition or malabsorption) and in those taking warfarin or other medication that inhibits the action of vitamin K.

Diagnostic use

Hepatocellular carcinoma

A 1984 study first described the use of DCP as a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); it was present in 91% of HCC patients, while not being detectable in other liver diseases. The DCP level did not change with the administration of vitamin K, suggesting a defect in gamma-carboxylation activity rather than vitamin K deficiency.[1] A number of subsequent studies have since confirmed this phenomenon.[2][3][4]

A 2007 comparison of various HCC tumor markers found DCP the least sensitive to risk factors for HCC (such as cirrhosis), and hence the most useful in predicting HCC.[5] It differentiates HCC from non-malignant liver diseases.[6] Moreover, it has been demonstrated that a combined analysis of DCP and Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can lead to a better prediction in early stages of HCC.[7]

Despite many years of use in Japan, only did a 2003 American study reevaluate its use in an American patient series. It also identified HCC at an earlier stage.[4]

Anticoagulant intoxication

A 1987 report described the use of DCP determination in the detection of intoxication with acenocoumarol, a vitamin K antagonist.[8]

References
  1. Liebman HA, Furie BC, Tong MJ, et al. (1984). "Des-gamma-carboxy (abnormal) prothrombin as a serum marker of primary hepatocellular carcinoma". N. Engl. J. Med. 310 (22): 1427–31. doi:10.1056/NEJM198405313102204. PMID 6201741.
  2. Tsai SL, Huang GT, Yang PM, Sheu JC, Sung JL, Chen DS (1990). "Plasma des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin in the early stage of hepatocellular carcinoma". Hepatology. 11 (3): 481–8. doi:10.1002/hep.1840110321. PMID 2155866.
  3. Cui R, Wang B, Ding H, Shen H, Li Y, Chen X (2002). "Usefulness of determining a protein induced by vitamin K absence in detection of hepatocellular carcinoma". Chin. Med. J. 115 (1): 42–5. PMID 11930656.
  4. Marrero JA, Su GL, Wei W, et al. (2003). "Des-gamma carboxyprothrombin can differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma from nonmalignant chronic liver disease in American patients". Hepatology. 37 (5): 1114–21. doi:10.1053/jhep.2003.50195. PMID 12717392.
  5. Volk ML, Hernandez JC, Su GL, Lok AS, Marrero JA (2007). "Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma may impair the performance of biomarkers: a comparison of AFP, DCP, and AFP-L3". Cancer Biomark. 3 (2): 79–87. PMID 17522429.
  6. Lamerz R, Runge M, Stieber P, Meissner E (1999). "Use of serum PIVKA-II (DCP) determination for differentiation between benign and malignant liver diseases". Anticancer Res. 19 (4A): 2489–93. PMID 10470180.
  7. Ertle, JM; Heider, D; Wichert, M; Keller, B; Kueper, R; Hilgard, P; Gerken, G; Schlaak, JF (2013). "A combination of α-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin is superior in detection of hepatocellular carcinoma". Digestion. 87 (2): 121–31. doi:10.1159/000346080. PMID 23406785.
  8. Lefrere JJ, Gozin D (1987). "Use of des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin in retrospective diagnosis of hidden intoxication of anticoagulants". J. Clin. Pathol. 40 (5): 589. doi:10.1136/jcp.40.5.589-b. PMC 1141034. PMID 3584512.
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