Detection of blood AFPmRNA in nude mice bearing human HCC using nested RT-PCR and its significance

Table 1 The relationship between detectable rate of AFPmRNA and distant metastasis

Types	Cases	Cases of metastasis	Metastasis rate
AFPmRNA (+)	6	4	66.67b
AFPmRNA (-)	14	0	0.00

^bP < 0.01, vs AFPmRNA (-).

Table 2 The relationship between tumor diameters and distant metastasis

Diameter	Cases	Cases of AFPmRNA (+)	Positive rate
> 3 cm	9	6	66.67b
< 3 cm	11	0	0.00

^bP < 0.01, vs tumors below 3 cm in diameter.

Table 3 The relationship between AFP levels in serum and detectable AFPmRNA

AFP levels (μg/L)	Cases	AFPmRNA (+)	Positive rate
> 4000	12	6	50.0b
< 4000	8	0	0.0

^bP < 0.01, vs nude mice with serum AFP levels below 4000 μg/L.