ALPHA-GLOBULINS IN SURVEILLANCE OF COLORECTAL CANCER

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 24  (3) , 171-178
Abstract
The .alpha.1 and .alpha.2-globulins were studied at various stages in the evolution of [human] colo-rectal cancer. The .alpha.2 was elevated in some primary tumors and rose in metastatic cancer, especially when it involved the liver. Some apparently tumor free patients had an unexplained elevation of .alpha.2-globulins. The macroglobulins were not a major constituent of the raised .alpha.2-globulins. Haptoglobulin levels were a useful indicator of tumor activity; when their level was raised in metastatic cancer it was usually with an antecedent or coincidental rise of plasma CEA [carcinoembryonic antigen]. Primary tumors may cause a high haptoglobin response without an elevation of CEA.

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