Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in colorectal cancer and its relationship to acute phase proteins.

Increased concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-I (ICAM-1) have been reported in a number of diseases including cancer. This study was undertaken to evaluate soluble ICAM-1 in colorectal cancer and its relationship to an unspecific acute phase response. Fifty six patients (25 with advanced colorectal cancer and 31 out-patients after radical surgical treatment) were included. Soluble ICAM-1 was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Four acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein, acid alpha 1-glycoprotein, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin) were estimated by immuno-nephelometry. No significant increase of soluble ICAM-1 could be demonstrated in the patients compared to a control group (median 273 ng/ml vs. 270 ng/ml). Furthermore, patients with advanced colorectal cancer did not demonstrate elevated soluble ICAM-1 compared to follow-up out-patients. Patients with present acute phase response as determined by C-reactive protein were shown to have increased soluble ICAM-1 compared to patients without acute phase reaction. Using other acute phase proteins no difference for soluble ICAM-1 has been shown. Our data suggest an association between acute phase response and increased ICAM-1 in patients with colorectal cancer which should be considered when the diagnostic and/or prognostic usefulness of soluble ICAM-1 is to be evaluated.

[Blood coagulation factors and proteinase inhibitors in cytostatic therapy of acute leukemia]. / Gerinnungsfaktoren und Proteinase-Inhibitoren während der zytostatischen Therapie der akuten Leukämie.

In 64 patients affected with acute leukaemia (51 patients with acute non-lymphatic leukaemia and 13 patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia) extensive investigations of blood coagulation were made during cytostatic therapy. The following conspicuous changes of haemostatasis could be observed in making the diagnosis: Lowered quick value and shortened PTT, increased fibrinogen, fibrinopeptide, A, alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin, diminished plasminogen and plasma fibrininectin. According to TAD (VP) protocol the induction therapy leads to hypercoagulability which can be recognized by an increase of fibrinopeptide A, coagulating factors and shortening of PTT. During the therapy with L-asparaginasis procoagulatoric as well as thromboprotective coagulating proteins are diminished. A dense laboratory control enables those disturbances of haemotasis caused by disease or therapy to be separated and contributes to preventing complications during the cytostatic induction therapy.