IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE ACIDIC PROTEIN (IAP) LEVEL IN SERUM AND PERITONEAL WASHINGS, AND ITS IMPLICATION IN DETERMINING MULTIDISCIPLINARY TREATMENTS

In this study we examined the efficacy of the measurement if IAP (seru m and peritoneal washings) during the treatment of colorectal cancers, and determined the possible benefits of using the IAP measurements fr om both serum and peritoneal washings. One hundred and six patients (p eritoneal washings: 58, peritoneal fluid: 67) were investigated. Serum IAP levels were significantly higher in patients who underwent compli cated surgical procedures which involved greater time and blood loss c ompared to those patients who underwent less involved surgical procedu res with little loss of blood and time. In peritoneal washings, up to 66. 7% of cases with peritoneal dissemination showed elevated levels o f IAP in the peritoneal cavity, while 37% of cases with no disseminati on at surgery macroscopically had positive IAP levels (8mg/g protein). The results suggest the value of IAP in determining the need for comb ined immunochemotherapy for patients in an immunosuppressive environme nt.