A Tumor-Related Vitamin B12Binding Protein in Adolescent Hepatoma

Abstract
Extraordinary elevations of serum vitamin B12 content and serum levels of vitamin B12 binding protein were found in three young patients with hepatoma. All had normal white-cell counts and no evidence of megaloblastosis. Despite a superficial resemblance to the alterations of vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 binders observed in chronic myeloid leukemia, the vitamin B12 binding protein in hepatoma serum exhibited distinct and unique properties that suggest a novel, tumor-related protein. (N Engl J Med 289:1053–1056, 1973)