Studies on serum protein fractions of patients with maxillary sinus cancer undergoing a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 2. Relationship between changes in serum protein fractions and prognosis

We examined the correlations between changes in serum protein fractions and the prognosis of the patients. The levels of 21 protein components of the sera of 36 patients with maxillary sinus cancer were determined by a single radial immunodiffusion method before and after radiation therapy. The patients with maxillary sinus cancer were treated with combined intra-arterial infusion of bleomycin and external irradiation of 60 Co gamma-rays, and were concurrently treated with 5-fluorouracil at 200 mg/day p.o. The levels of the same protein components were also measured in 34 normal adult as a control. All patients were observed 5 years and 12 years after radiation therapy. In patients who had survived at least 5 years after radiation therapy, the Alb, Tf, Hx, IgG and IgM levels measured before radiation therapy were elevated significantly compared with those who had died within 5 years. In those who had survived at least 5 years, the Alb, Tf, Hx, IgG, IgM, IgA and IαI levels measured after radiation therapy were elevated significantly compared with those who had died within 5 years, and AT III was reduced. In cases of maxillary sinus cancer following a period of 5 to 12 years after radiation therapy, multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether increased concentrations of serum protein fractions were associated with good prognosis for the original disease. α2HS, IgM, HX, α1AT and α1X before radiation therapy were positively correlated with survival, whereas AT III, Pmg, Cp, IgA, and α1AG showed negative correlations. After radiation therapy, Pmg, Hx, Cp, Cl inh and Fib were found to be positive factors of survival rate, whereas α2M, α2PI, IαI, IgA, α1AG and C3 were negative factors. (author). 54 refs