IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN HODGKINS DISEASE

  • 1 January 1967
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (4) , 421-+
Abstract
Immunoglobulins have been measured in 50 patients with Hodgkin''s disease. Levels of YG were slightly raised as compared with a control population, but YA tended to be low and YM was generally at or below our lower limit of normal. These findings are discussed in relation to the duration of the disease, its clinical staging, and the possible effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The reduced YM levels may be due to decreased synthesis in the reticulo-endothelial system rather than to increased catabolism. Reference is made to the depression in delayed-type hypersensitivity found early in Hodgkin''s disease and this and reduction in YM levels may both reflect the same derangement in lymphoid cells. The detec -tion of a3 -globulin in the sera of 62% of the patients is referred to and its association with other neoplastic reticuloses is emphasized.