Persistent alpha-fetoprotein elevation in patients without viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma: A report of six cases and literature review

Table 3 Literature summary on possible underlying causes and mechanisms of serum alpha-fetoprotein elevation

Authors	Summary of findings
Caviglia et al[17]	AFP levels increased significantly from advance fibrosis without HCC to the progression of HCC
Seo et al[18]	An elevated serum AFP level often indicates active liver regeneration
Kuhlmann et al[19]	An increase in AFP expression during hepatocyte regeneration
Nishida et al[20]	Serum AFP level correlated with the accumulation of oxidative DNA damage in hepatocytes
Goldstein et al[21]	Alteration in hepatocellular interactions and loss of the normal structural arrangement led to an elevated serum AFP level

AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.