Predictive value of serum alpha-fetoprotein for tumor regression after preoperative chemotherapy for rectal cancer

Table 1 Clinical and pathological characteristics of patients (n = 125), n (%)

Characteristics	n = 125
Age, median (yr, range)	63 (29-86)
Sex
Male	77 (61.6)
Female	48 (38.4)
Location (distance form anal verge, cm)
< 5	85 (68)
≥ 5	40 (32)
Clinical T stage
T2	6 (4.8)
T3-4	119 (95.2)
CEA
High	49 (39.2)
Normal	76 (60.8)
CA19-9
High	17 (13.6)
Normal	108 (86.4)
ALT
High	11 (8.8)
Normal	114 (91.2)
AST
High	4 (3.2)
Normal	121 (96.8)
Bilirubin
High	23 (18.4)
Normal	102 (81.6)
Albumin
High	3 (2.4)
Normal	122 (97.6)

AFP: α-fetoprotein; CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; CA19-9: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase.

Table 2 Logistic regression analysis of tumor regression grade

Characteristics	TRG 0-1/2-3
	χ2	OR (95%CI)	P value
Age	0.356	1.265 (0.585–2.735)	0.55
Sex	0.003	1.022 (0.464–2.252)	0.96
Distance from anal verge	5.226	2.679 (1.1519–6.236)	0.02a
Clinical T stage	0.050	1.231 (0.200–7.562)	0.82
CEA	4.666	2.410 (1.085–5.348)	0.03a
AFP	4.144	2.666 (1.037–6.855)	0.04a

^aP < 0.05.

TRG: Tumor regression grade; CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; AFP: α-fetoprotein.

Table 3 Logistic regression analysis of pathological complete response

Characteristics	Pathological complete response
	χ2	OR (95%CI)	P value
Age	0.172	1.244 (0.444–3.486)	0.68
Sex	0.038	1.113 (0.380–3.259)	0.85
Distance from anal verge	2.535	2.953 (0.779–11.199)	0.11
Clinical T stage	1.226	2.945 (0.435–19.926)	0.27
CEA	0.088	1.170 (0.416–3.293)	0.77
AFP	4.542	3.251 (1.099–9.616)	0.03a

^aP < 0.05.

CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; AFP: α-fetoprotein.