Rheumatoid factor in bladder tumors

Lack of association of rheumatoid factor with either circulating immune complexes or tumor burden in cancer patients

The frequency of rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity and the frequency of association of RF with immune complex (IC) elevation were determined in 72 patients with a variety of solid tumors, in 78 patients with IC-associated diseases, 27 patients with non-IC-associated diseases, and in 31 normal healthy controls. The frequency of RF positivity in cancer patients (31%) was virtually identical to that in patients with IC-associated diseases (28%), and did not differ significantly from that seen in patients with non-IC-associated disease (15%). Whereas IC elevation was clearly related to tumor progress, RF was not. RF and IC status also appeared to be unrelated to each other, not only in cancer patients, but in patients with other diseases as well. The results do not support the concept that RF reflects progressive tumor growth or an immune response to IgG-containing immune complexes.

Rheumatoid factor: correlation with recurrence in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

The serum rheumatoid factor was measured by the latex fixation test in different titrations in 100 cases of bladder tumors. The rheumatoid factor was found in transitional and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. The percentage of positive studies correlated well with the clinical staging of the tumors. The rheumatoid factor activity also correlated with the recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma. A high recurrence rate was found when the rheumatoid factor was present in contrast to a low recurrence rate when it was absent at the initial examination. The percentage of recurrences correlated with the titration of the rheumatoid factor. The mechanism of production of the rheumatoid factor and its correlation with tumor recurrence are discussed.