Significance of alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-2-pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in the serum of patients with bronchial carcinoma
Homolka, J.; Voslárová, Z.; Malbohan, I.
Zeitschrift für Erkrankungen der Atmungsorgane 169(1): 38-43
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-657X PMID: 3118584 Document Number: 288365
The authors investigated alpha-1-antitrypsin and pregnancy associated alpha-2-glycoprotein at diagnosis and follow-up of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Both proteins were determined by single radial immunodiffusion according to Mancini in 60 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, in 31 patients with nontumorous respiratory diseases, and in 10 patients with tumour metastases in the lungs. The statistical significance of differences was evaluated using Student's t-test. None of the determined proteins was found to be a specific and sensitive marker of bronchogenic carcinoma. The concentration of alpha-1-antitrypsin is increasing with the growth of the tumour, and the values of pregnancy associated alpha-2-glycoproteins are decreasing at the same time. Alpha-1-antitrypsin can be used in follow-up after tumour resection, where recurrent increase of its concentration may indicate a relapse of the tumour.