Serum alpha-fetoprotein level is correlated with the level of inflammatory markers in the immune-clearance phase of chronic hepatitis B in Eastern China

Purpose: To clarify the association of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) with inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during the immune-clearance phase in Eastern China. Methods: This research selected 60 CHB patients during the immune clearance phase who tested positive for AFP, including 32 cases treated by non-antiviral therapy (experimental group) and 28 cases treated by antiviral therapy (positive control group). Another 30 cases tested negative for AFP were set as a negative control group. The correlations of serum AFP with IL-6 and TNF-alpha in patients were analyzed. Results: HBV DNA clearance in patients receiving antiviral therapy, in both the positive or negative control groups, was not significantly related to other clinical data. In the experimental group, a positive correlation of HBV DNA clearance with serum AFP level (r=0.5126, P=0.0027), alanine aminotransferase (r=0.3924, P=0.0263), and total bilirubin (r=0.5126, P=0.0027) was found. The experimental and positive control groups exhibited elevated serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha contents versus the negative control group (P<0.05). A positive association of AFP with IL-6 and TNF-alpha was also identified. Conclusion: Serum AFP level is positively related to IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in CHB patients during the immune clearance phase.