The ASAP model is a risk calculator for estimating likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis B virus induced high risk patients i.e. patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis. This online tool can be useful in clinical practice by offering individualized risk. Patients with high-risk score are recommended to undergoing further examination.
This prediction tools also known as nomograms are based on data from a biomarker based HCC diagnostic study project participated by several major medical centers in China. Serum tumor marker alpha-feto protein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) determinated by serological testing combined with age and gender were incorporated as four parameters in the model to predict the risk of HCC in patients with HBV infection. This may greatly improve the patient's compliance with surveillance and makes up for the drawbacks of other surveillance tools.
Please note that this tool may not apply to patients with chronic liver disease other than HBV. This calculator is intended for use by health care providers. The results obtained are for reference only.
The ASAP model was developed using data from 1511 patients (908 with HBV-related HCC, 314 with HBV-related cirrhosis and 289 with chronic hepatitis B) from 11 centers in China and has been validated in an independent cohort of 500 patients (286 with HBV-related HCC, 98 with HBV-related cirrhosis and 113 with chronic hepatitis B) from China.
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· Numerous studies have demonstrated that regular anti-hepatitis B virus treatment to reduce hepatitis B virus DNA load to undetectable levels can reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. If hepatitis B virus DNA load is above normal or there is a tendency to develop cirrhosis, it is recommended to consult a specialist to check if anti-HBV treatment is necessary.