Rm. Rawal et al., Evaluation of glycoprotein constituents in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, HEAD NECK, 21(3), 1999, pp. 192-197
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Otolaryngology
Journal title
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
Background. Alterations in serum levels of several glycoprotein constituent
s are reported to be useful far treatment monitoring of cancer patients. Th
e purpose of this study was to determine efficacy of sialic acid and seromu
coid fraction as treatment monitors for head and neck (H&N) cancer patients
undergoing radiotherapy (RT).
Methods. Serum levels of total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-bound sialic acid (
LSA), and seromucoid fraction (measured as Mucoid protein [MP] and hexose)
were studied in age matched controls and in patients with H&N cancer at dia
gnosis and during/after completion of RT. The markers were estimated by spe
ctrophotometric methods.
Results. Serum levels of sialic acid forms and seromucoid fraction were sig
nificantly elevated (p <.001) in untreated H&N cancer patients (n = 32) as
compared with controls (n = 50). The marker levels were significantly decli
ned (p <.001) in H&N cancer patients who responded to RT as compared with t
heir levels at diagnosis, whereas the levels were persistently elevated in
nonresponders.
Conclusion. Evaluation of sialic acid forms and seromucoid fraction could b
e used for monitoring the treatment of H&N cancer patients undergoing RT. (
C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.