IMPORTANCE OF GLYCOPROTEINS IN HUMAN CANCER

Usefulness of cell surface glycoprotein components as markers in early detection of cancer and in monitoring progress during treatment has b een evaluated. Total sialic acid (TSA), lipid bound sialic acid (LSA) and seromucoid frctions (SF) have been compared in the sera of healthy human volunteers and patients at different stages of diagnosis and tr eatment of leukemia, cancer of breast, cervix, and oral cavity. The le vels of TSA, LSA and SF are found to be increased in cancer and is pro portionate with malignancy. Their levels show decline in patients who respond well to treatment and show increase in patients wiith recurren ce of cancer even before any clinical evidence of recurrence is availa ble. Changes have also been noted in the glycoprotein fractions and th eir ratios.