Immunosuppressive acidic protein in patients with testicular cancer

The clinicopathological significance of preoperative serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations in operable non-small-cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) concentrations have been found to be elevated in cancer patients. However, the importance of this finding in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been previously established.

METHODS

Preoperative serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations were determined in 65 consecutive patients with operable NSCLC. The correlation of preoperative serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations with various clinicopathological features of this cancer was evaluated to clarify the clinical significance of this parameter.

RESULTS

Although serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations were not significantly higher in operable NSCLC patients than in normal controls (P = .1180), serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations were significantly higher in patients with stage IIIB or IV disease than in normal controls (P = .0001). The presence of intrapulmonary metastasis was the only clinicopathological feature that was significantly correlated to serum-soluble IL-2R concentration (P = .0004). The sensitivity of serum-soluble IL-2R concentration in identifying the presence of intrapulmonary metastasis was 87.5%; specificity was 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated preoperative serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations in patients with operable NSCLC reflect the occurrence of intrapulmonary metastasis. Preoperative examination of serum-soluble IL-2R concentrations may be valuable in the detection of the intrapulmonary metastasis preoperatively.

Immunosuppressive acidic protein serum levels in breast cancer patients in a reference to CA 15-3 levels

Immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) has been described as a tumor marker in a number of malignant diseases. To evaluate the clinical importance of IAP in breast cancer patients, IAP serum level was determined in 75 breast cancer patients, using single radial immunodiffusion. Serum samples were also tested for CA 15-3. Cut off value for IAP was determined according to IAP serum level in 50 patients with benign, non inflammatory, diseases, and was set as 725 microgram/ml. Mean IAP serum level (623 mcg/ml) and positivity rate (20%) in 24 breast cancer patients with active disease were similar to those in 51 breast cancer patients with no evidence of disease (590 mcg/ml and 18%). The mean CA 15-3 serum level and positivity rate were significantly higher in patients with active disease (200 units/ml, 67%), compared to patients with no evidence of disease (18.3 units/ml, 6%). In our experience IAP was not found to be an effective tumor marker in breast cancer.

Changes in serum immunosuppressive acidic protein following surgery in patients with renal carcinoma

Serum immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) was measured serially in 69 patients with renal carcinoma who were treated surgically and followed up for more than 6 months after surgery. Elevated IAP levels > 600 micrograms/ml were seen in 8 of 52 patients without evidence of recurrence and in 5 of 10 patients prior to clinical evidence of recurrence but in whom recurrence did eventually develop. The positive rate of IAP levels > 600 micrograms/ml in recurrent cases was significantly higher than in non-recurrent ones. In 7 patients with distant metastases, IAP levels rose to > 500 micrograms/ml in 3 of 5 patients whose disease progressed despite therapy; levels fell to < 600 micrograms/ml in 2 patients who responded to therapy. The data suggest that recurrence should be suspected in patients with IAP levels > 600 micrograms/ml, as these changes appear to correlate with the response of metastases to therapy.

Immunosuppressive acidic protein in patients with lung cancer

Using a single radial immunodiffusion method, serum immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) was determined in 117 patients with primary lung cancer, 34 patients with benign lung disease, and 45 healthy control subjects. The mean value of IAP for patients with lung cancer was significantly higher than that of normal control subjects. There were no significant differences in IAP levels among different histologic types and among different stages of lung cancer. It was concluded that serum IAP level was elevated in patients with lung cancer, especially during the early postoperative period, and serial measurements of serum IAP were of value in monitoring lung cancer patients.

Establishment and characterization of human uterine leiomyosarcoma heterotransplanted into nude mice

Human uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare gynecological malignancy with a generally poor prognosis. We have established a human uterine leiomyosarcoma tumor line in nude mice, designated UTS-1, and describe the characteristics of this tumor. The UTS-1 tumor doubled in 12.1 days and retained the histological characteristics of leiomyosarcoma, even after 14 serial generations. Ultrastructurally, the tumor is characterized by nuclear pleomorphism typical of smooth muscle, intracytoplasmic filaments with dense bodies, a relative paucity of micropinocytotic vesicles, and an incomplete external lamina. Immunohistochemically, the UTS-1 cells reacted with antibodies against vimentin, desmin, smooth-muscle actin and myosin, but not with antibodies against keratin, CEA and S-100 protein. Serum levels of AFP, CA125, CEA and SCC ranged within normal limits in tumor-bearing mice. The serum level of immunosuppressive acidic protein correlated well with an activity of the tumor. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were not detected in the tumor. Chromosomal analysis showed a human karyotype with some marker chromosomes and a modal number of 85 chromosomes. The UTS-1 tumor should prove a useful model to explore the biological characteristics and treatment of human uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Survey of immunosuppressive acidic protein and other immunological parameters in head and neck cancer patients

Serum levels of immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) and other immunological parameters were examined in 95 head and neck cancer patients and 27 control patients. The mean values of IAP in patients in the advanced stage were significantly higher than in early stage patients. Statistically significant increases in the mean concentration of IAP were also observed in patients with a recurrence, as compared to findings in those in the advanced stages. The mean values of blastogenesis response to PHA and NK cell activity in the cancer patients were lower than in disease free individuals, but with no statistical differences. In the endstage patients, the IAP concentration was considerably elevated and the blastogenesis response showed a statistically significant decrease. Thus, the monitoring of serum IAP, in combination with other immunological parameters, aids in planning and assessing clinical staging in head and neck cancer patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of combination of assays for immunosuppressive acidic protein and carcinoembryonic antigen in detection of recurrence of gastric cancer

Two tumour markers, immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), were assayed in gastric cancer patients. Levels of IAP and CEA were measured simultaneously in the preoperative and postoperative periods. The usefulness of the combined assay of these markers for detection of recurrence of cancer was investigated in terms of sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Sensitivity was not high (69.2%), but specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 96.7% and 86.9%, respectively. In cases with metastases in the liver, sensitivity (100.0%), specificity (100.0%) and diagnostic accuracy were high. In cases of peritoneal dissemination, these indices were low. The combination assay of IAP and CEA appears to be useful for detection of recurrence of gastric cancer, especially in patients with liver metastases.

Serum basic fetoprotein in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Serum basic fetoprotein (BFP), immunosuppressive acid protein (IAP), and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) levels were measured in patients with renal cell carcinoma. The positive rates of serum BFP, IAP, and TPA were 47%, 79%, and 42%, respectively. Serum levels and positive rates were found to be elevated according to the degree of disease advancement. Using a combined assay for the three markers, the positive rate for BFP, IAP, and TPA was 92%, and approximately 100% in Stages II, III, and IV of the disease. Therefore, the combined marker assay improved the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. In curative resection patients, the percent of patients whose serum BFP levels returned to normal 1 week after the operation was 85. This was higher than the IAP or TPA levels (18% and 67%, respectively). Moreover, in inoperable patients, serum BFP levels showed a better correlation with the clinical course than serum IAP or TPA levels. Serum BFP is useful for monitoring patients with renal cell carcinoma who have an elevated BFP value.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 as a marker of testicular germ cell tumor

Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 activity was determined repeatedly in 21 men with testicular germ cell tumors in connection with orchiectomy and in 25 without neoplasia who underwent exploration of the testis. The highest level in the men without malignancy was 109 units per 1. and a higher pre-orchiectomy level was found in 15 of the tumor patients: 7 of 11 with seminoma and 8 of 10 with nonseminomatous tumors. In the patients with stage 3 disease serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 was increased more often and the activity was higher than in the stage 1 and 2 cancer patients. Within 1 month after orchiectomy the initially increased level decreased to less than 109 units per 1. in 8 of 10 patients with a stage 1 tumor and it remained higher in 5 with stage 2 or 3 disease. Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 seems to be a useful marker of testicular germ cell tumor.