Prognostic Value of Serum Lactic Dehydrogenase in Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) is a glycolytic enzyme that may be elevated in the serum of patients with non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma (NHL). LDH was assayed in sera from 155 untreated patients with NHL. Serum LDH (S-LDH) was significantly correlated to the spread of the disease and to the histological grade of malignancy, i.e., more advanced disease or more aggressive histopathology was associated with higher S-LDH values. A high pretreatment S-LDH level (> 8.0 .mu.kat/l) in stages III and IV correlated significantly to a decreased survival time. The patients with a pretreatment level of < 8.0 .mu.kat[microkatals]/l had an actuarial 2-yr survival of 80%, compared to 30% in the patients with levels > 8.0 .mu.kat/l (P < 0.001). In stages I and II all 6 patients with a high pretreatment level (> 8.0 .mu.kat/l) relapsed during or a short time after radiotherapy. In a longitudinal study of 24 patients, it was found that S-LDH reflected in the clinical course. In patients treated to partial or complete remission, S-LDH decreased and at relapse it rose again. S-LDH might be useful as a prognostic marker and to monitor the course of the disease.