Factors independently associated with raised serum AFP in patients with cirrhosis were female gender, black race, decreased platelet count, increased
serum AST/ALT ratio,
serum ferritin, and Mallory bodies in liver biopsies.
Serum AFP levels decreased significantly during therapy with pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin. HCC was identified in six subjects, only three of whom had AFP>20 ng/mL.