Update on the applications and limitations of alpha-fetoprotein for hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 1 ELISA measures. A: ELISA measures alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by detecting reactivity with two anti-AFP antibodies; B: Interfering antibodies that bind directly to the capture and detect reagents without the target AFP (no analytes). This binding would emit light and become luminescent causing false positive results and high values; C: Interfering antibodies can inhibit reactivity of the ELISA by binding to the reagents and prevent the detection of AFP by the anti-AFP antibodies; that leads to a false negative result. AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein.