The GALAD score performs better than AFP in hepatocellular carcinoma screening: a single-centre, case-control study in Malaysia

Journal

Clinical and Experimental Hepatology

Year

2025

Materials & Methods

A single-centre, case control study recruited newly diagnosed HCC and cirrhotic patients. Serum biomarkers were quantified using a microfluidic-based automated immunoanalyzer. The diagnostic ability of AFP, AFP-L3, PIVKA-II and GALAD was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and corresponding area under the curve (AUC) analysis.

Results

Among the 44 HCC cases, GALAD score achieved the highest AUC value of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90-0.98, p < 0.0001) significantly surpassing AFP (0.89), AFP-L3 (0.84) and PIVKA-II (0.88). The GALAD score demonstrated 84.1% sensitivity and 93.8% specificity at the standard cut-off (–0.63) and 88.6%/92.2% at its best cut-off (–1.035) for detecting any stage of HCC, outperforming AFP (79.5%/92.2%), AFP-L3 (59.1%/94.9%) and PIVKA-II (79.5%/84.9%). The sensitivity of the GALAD score was 100% in earlystage HCC (BCLC0/A).

Conclusion

GALAD outperformed conventional biomarkers, facilitating early detection, improved treatment options and ultimately a higher survival rate for HCC patients.

Resources and Links

Phone Number: +603 2781 4519 / +603 2781 4520

https://www.termedia.pl/The-GALAD-score-performs-better-than-AFP-in-hepatocellular-carcinoma-screening-a-single-centre-case-control-study-in-Malaysia,80,55715,0,1.html

Consultant Name

Dr Wong Zhiqin

[email protected]

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