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Vol 93, No 1 (2022)
Review paper
Published online: 2021-12-21
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Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) — new aspects of a well-known marker in perinatology

Joanna Glowska-Ciemny1, Jakub Pankiewicz1, Zbyszko Malewski12, Constantin von Kaisenberg3, Rafal Kocylowski1
DOI: 10.5603/GP.a2021.0226
·
Pubmed: 35072257
·
Ginekol Pol 2022;93(1):70-75.
Affiliations
  1. PreMediCare New Med Medical Center, Poznan, Poland
  2. Division of Perinatology and Women’s Disease, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

open access

Vol 93, No 1 (2022)
REVIEW PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2021-12-21

Abstract

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a serum protein, which is characteristic of the fetal development period and a well-known oncological marker. The predominance of AFP among serum proteins is common in fetal life, whereas after birthing its functions are gradually taken over by albumins. An understanding of the mechanism of AFP transfer between fetus and mother has led to the development of screening tests for identifying neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome. Currently, the knowledge on patophysiology and the possible importance of AFP in perinatology and fetal medicine extends far beyond those 2 disease states. Throughout the 50 years of research on AFP, there has been dynamic progress of diagnostic techniques, from the qualitative ones that are used solely for scientific studies to the widely used radioimmunoassays and immunoenzymatic assays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescence immunoassay, time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay). Some genetic mutations cause complete inhibition of AFP production by the fetus. This affects the results of screening tests during pregnancy, and also leads to constantly high levels of AFP in adults, which are not linked to oncogenesis.  

Abstract

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a serum protein, which is characteristic of the fetal development period and a well-known oncological marker. The predominance of AFP among serum proteins is common in fetal life, whereas after birthing its functions are gradually taken over by albumins. An understanding of the mechanism of AFP transfer between fetus and mother has led to the development of screening tests for identifying neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome. Currently, the knowledge on patophysiology and the possible importance of AFP in perinatology and fetal medicine extends far beyond those 2 disease states. Throughout the 50 years of research on AFP, there has been dynamic progress of diagnostic techniques, from the qualitative ones that are used solely for scientific studies to the widely used radioimmunoassays and immunoenzymatic assays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescence immunoassay, time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay). Some genetic mutations cause complete inhibition of AFP production by the fetus. This affects the results of screening tests during pregnancy, and also leads to constantly high levels of AFP in adults, which are not linked to oncogenesis.  

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Keywords

fetal defects; alpha-fetoprotein; isoforms; AFP-L3

About this article
Title

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) — new aspects of a well-known marker in perinatology

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 93, No 1 (2022)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

70-75

Published online

2021-12-21

Page views

6472

Article views/downloads

1528

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0226

Pubmed

35072257

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2022;93(1):70-75.

Keywords

fetal defects
alpha-fetoprotein
isoforms
AFP-L3

Authors

Joanna Glowska-Ciemny
Jakub Pankiewicz
Zbyszko Malewski
Constantin von Kaisenberg
Rafal Kocylowski

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