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Fluctuation of serum complement levels in children with neuroblastoma
Author(s) -
Carli M.,
Bucolo C.,
Pannunzio M. T.,
Ongaro G.,
Businaro R.,
Revoltella R.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197906)43:6<2399::aid-cncr2820430634>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - medicine , neuroblastoma , complement (music) , urinary system , disease , urine , complement system , endocrinology , clinical disease , gastroenterology , antibody , immunology , biology , biochemistry , genetics , complementation , gene , phenotype , cell culture
Serum samples from eleven children with neuroblastoma were drawn at diagnosis and again every 15 days or a month after the beginning of treatment over the course of 17 months observation. Twenty healthy children of the same age with no appreciable clinical manifestation were also studied as controls. Investigations included quantitative serum complement levels (total complement hemolytic activity, C 3 and C 4 ), anticomplementary serum activity and urine catecholamine levels (VMA and HVA). Complement levels of tumor patients were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects, but fluctuations were seen at different stages of the disease; patients at admission with active tumors or tumor recurrence had higher complement levels than those of patients in remission. Temporary recurrences of the disease were usually accompanied by fluctuations of urinary catecholamines, serum complement levels (mainly C 3 ) and anticomplementary serum activity. At the terminal phase of the disease a drop in complement levels was usually seen, while urinary catecholamines were progressively increasing.