Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods for aiding in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a subject comprising determining the amount of one or more glycan structure at position N207 of haptoglobin (i.e. of the ß-chain of haptoglobin having the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1) in a sample obtained from said subject. Also disclosed are a glycan structure as well as a glycopeptide comprising said glycan structure, both of great utility in the detection of HCC. Further, the present invention relates to the use of one or more glycan structure at position N207 or of a glycopeptide comprising N207 of haptoglobin in combination with AFP and/or PIVKA in the detection of HCC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods for aiding in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a subject. The method may comprise determining the amount of one or more N-glycan structure attached to haptoglobin (i.e. of the ?-chain of haptoglobin having the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1) in a sample obtained from said subject and comparing the amount of said one or more glycan structure to a reference amount of said one or more glycan structure, wherein an altered amount of said one or more glycan structure in said patient sample relative to the reference amount of said one or more glycan structure is indicative for HCC. Further, the present invention relates to the use of one or more glycan structure attached to haptoglobinor of a glycopeptide derived from haptoglobin in combination with AFP and/or PIVKA-II in the detection of HCC.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for determining intact glycated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) by mass spectrometry (MS), a kit and a diagnostic system adapted for performing the method.