Evaluation of circulating immune complexes and serum immunoglobulins in oral cancer patients--a follow up study.
BACKGROUND
High serum immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes (IgG, IgM, IgA and CIC) values in patients with cancer have been used as tumor markers. Hence, the aim of the study was to estimate these immunological markers in pre- and post-treatment phases with a follow-up of 3-24 months and to understand the prognostic significance of the same in patients with oral cancer.


METHODS
The malignancy group consisted of 56 patients with different stages (AJCC TNM) of oral cancer and 20 healthy control group. Samples were selected at random and subjected for sequential analysis of serum biochemical markers (IgG, IgA, IgM and CIC-circulating immune complexes levels) in the pre- and post-treatment period. Statistical method employed was the paired t test.


RESULTS
We observed significant elevated levels of all the immunological markers ( P < 0.01) when compared with the control group. Sequential analysis of these markers revealed significant reduction in immunological markers in stage I and II patients. On the contrary, stage III and IV patients showed remarkably elevated levels of IgA and CIC one year after initial treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
All these immunological markers are indicative of tumor burden and Serum levels of CIC and IgA might be employed as prognostic indicators in oral cancer.
Parveen
Sameena
S
Reader, Seema Dental College and Hospital, Virbhadra Road, RISHIKESH, 249 203 UA, India.
Taneja
Neeraj
N
Bathi
Renuka J
RJ
Deka
A C
AC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007136:Immunoglobulins