Erythropoietin in renal cell carcinoma: evaluation of its usefulness as a tumor marker.
Erythropoietin levels in serum were analyzed in 165 patients with renal cell carcinoma. All samples were taken before therapy and stored at -80 degrees C. Erythropoietin, a glucoprotein produced by the renal cortex was quantified by an enzyme immunoassay. Fifty-five of 165 patients (33%) had elevated serum levels. In patients with metastatic disease (M+), elevated levels were found in 24 of 65 cases (38%). Patients with high-grade tumors had significantly more often increased erythropoietin than those with low-grade tumors. No correlation between erythrocytosis and elevation of erythropoietin in serum was found. There was a significant difference in survival between patients with normal and patients with elevated erythropoietin levels (p = 0.013). The study shows that erythropoietin is a tumor marker with a low sensitivity. However, it correlates with stage and grade and provides prognostic information.
Ljungberg
B
B
Department of Urology, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Rasmuson
T
T
Grankvist
K
K
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004921:Erythropoietin