title: C-reactive protein (CRP) as tumor marker in pediatric and adolescent patients with Hodgkin disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein produced in the liver. An elevated CRP is a nonspecific marker of inflammation. Additionally, it also appears to be a prognostic marker in several malignancies. Elevated CRP levels in adult patients with Hodgkin disease (HD) were reported previously. However, levels of CRP have not been evaluated in pediatric and adolescent HD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed CRP serum levels in 95 consecutive pediatric and adolescent patients with Hodgkin disease. CRP levels were correlated with stage, absence or presence of B symptoms, and prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of diagnosis increased serum CRP levels were found in 64 % (61/95) of the patients with a median of 21 mg/L (range: <5-211). Serum C-reactive protein levels correlated with stage and were higher in patients with B symptoms. Higher CRP levels were associated with an increased risk of relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels, CRP holds promise as a diagnostic and prognostic index and follow-up monitor in pediatric and adolescent patients with Hodgkin disease, and merits further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wieland
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kerbl
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berghold
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schwinger
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Urban
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002097:C-Reactive Protein