A new serologic index for low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma based on initial CA125 and LDH serum levels

Background: Serum CA125 (sCA125) was recently reported to be of clinical va lue in the staging and follow-up of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (N HL). This report aims to investigate the prognostic value of a new serologi c index combining sCA125 and LDH serum levels. Patients and methods: One hundred thirty-seven patients were studied, sixty -three with histologically proven low-grade NHL, and seventy-four with a hi gh-grade subtype. Results: sCA125 and LDH levels were elevated in more than one third of pati ents. sCA125 was more frequently increased than LDH in low-grade NHL. In th is group, complete remission (CR) was achieved in 87, 45, and 0% (P = <2 x 10(-6)) of patients with normal sCA125 and LDH serum levels (Low-risk group ), one parameter increased (Intermediate-risk group), and increased sCA125 and LDH serum levels (high-risk group), respectively. The estimated five-ye ar overall survival was 97%, 67% and 22% for low, intermediate, and high-ri sk groups, respectively. This combination was the only parameter predictive of RFS and OS in multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: In this study the combination of s-LDH and sCA125 levels (norm al vs. abnormal) was found to be an important prognostic factor in low-grad e lymphoma and may be used in the selection of appropriate therapeutic appr oaches for individual patients.