Acute phase reactants and complement components as indicators of recurrence in human cervical cancer

Abstract

Twenty patients with invasive cervical cancer of the squamous cell type were treated by radiotherapy and/or radical hysterectomy. During a follow-up period of approximately 2 yr in 10 of these patients a recurrence was established. Serial determinations of three acute phase reactants (α1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin and C-reactive protein) and of three complement components (C4, C3-proactivator and C9) were performed before and after therapy and either at the time of recurrence (recurrence group), or at the end of the follow-up period (non-recurrence group). Sequential analysis of the serum levels of all the parameters tested showed a significant increase at the time of recurrence. The most conclusive results were obtained with haptoglobin and the C9-component of complement.