title: Serum IgG4 concentrations in pancreatic and biliary diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, it has been reported that the serum concentration of IgG4, a minor component of IgG subclasses, is increased in autoimmune pancreatitis. However, data regarding IgG4 concentrations in other pancreatic or biliary diseases have been insufficient.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum IgG4 was measured in 116 patients with pancreatic or biliary diseases (35 autoimmune pancreatitis, 24 chronic pancreatitis except autoimmune pancreatitis, 11 primary sclerosing cholangitis, 23 pancreatic cancer, 3 islet cell tumor, 2 papilla cancer, 15 bile duct cancer, and 3 gallbladder cancer patients). The cut-off concentration of IgG4 was 135 mg/dl.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased serum IgG4 was observed in 33 of 35 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis, 0 of 24 with chronic pancreatitis, 4 of 11 with primary sclerosing cholangitis, 0 of 23 with pancreatic cancer, 0 of 3 with islet cell tumor, 0 of 2 with duodenal papilla cancer, 0 of 15 with bile duct cancer and 0 of 3 with gallbladder cancer patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum IgG4 was increased in autoimmune pancreatitis and was within normal limits for other pancreatic or biliary diseases except primary sclerosing cholangitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University of Tokyo, and Department of Gastroenterology, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. khirano-mitsui@mitsuihosp.or.jp
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawabe
authors.forename: Natsuyo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Yousuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sasahira
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsujino
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toda
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Isayama
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omata
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G