Correlation of elevated C1q binding activity and carcinoembryonic antigen levels with clinical features and prognosis in bronchogenic carcinoma

Cancer. 1980 Jan 1;45(1):130-6. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19800101)45:1<130::aid-cncr2820450123>3.0.co;2-7.

Abstract

The presence of immune complexes and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was investigated in 50 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma at the time of and/or following diagnostic or definitive surgery. Immune complexes were measured by the C1q binding test and CEA by the Z gel method and elevations defined as values in excess of 2 S.D. above the normal mean, greater than or equal to 9.2% for C1q binding activity (C1q-BA) and greater than or equal to 5.0 ng/ml for CEA. The overall incidence of elevated values was 30.7% for C1q-BA and 34.2% for CEA. There was a greater incidence of elevated values of C1q-BA among patients with clinically evident disease. The differences with respect to CEA elevation were not significant due to the fact that 6 of 9 samples with elevated CEA values obtained from patients with no evident disease were in fact associated with the presence of clinically undetectable disease in these patients. Elevation of C1q-BA and CEA beyond the immediate postoperative period was predictive of a significantly shorter median survival time. The most significant differences in survival time were seen between patients with normal values for C1q-BA and CEA and those with elevations of one or both parameters, 6.0 vs. 19.5 months (p less than 0.001). Elevation of either parameter during the immediate pre- and postoperative period was not predictive of a poor survival. In terms of clinical application, it appears that CEA estimation had the best predictive value but that the addition of C1q-BA measurement may provide additional prognostic information, particularly in patients who do not have elevated CEA values.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / immunology
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex*
  • BCG Vaccine / pharmacology
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / analysis*
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology
  • Complement C1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • BCG Vaccine
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Complement C1