The significance of urinary melanoma antigen excretion and the ability of thymosin to raise the level of depleted lymphocytes in vitro in malignant melanoma.
One hundred and fifty-six patients were screened for the presence of urinary melanoma antigen and serum cytoplasmic antibody. It was found that 44% of symptomless Stage 1 patients tested five to 15 years after operation had detectable antigen (Ag) in their urine; the urines of 67% of Stage 2A (local recurrence) patients were positive for Ag; while in only 38% of those patients graded 2B (lymph-node involvement) were these tests positive. Urines of 83% of patients with generalized metastases (Stage 3) were positive. A sequential study was made of 23 patients seen and treated in 1976. Of this group, 14 reverted from a positive state to a negative one following excision of their tumour, while six were negative on first postoperative testing and subsequently became positive. Three out of the 23 remained persistently negative. T lymphocyte levels were assessed in 71 melanoma patients, and a stage-related fall was noticed. Thymosin (Hoffman LaRoche) on in vitro incubation significantly raised the levels of T lymphocytes.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000652:urine*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000276:immunology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D013947:Thymosin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D013951:Thymus Hormones; D013947:Thymosin