Serum complement levels in human cancer

ABSTRACT

1. Complement levels were studied in 41 normal adults and 40 cancer cases2. Complement levels measured by the two mehtods, CIA50 and CH50 units, showed statistically higher levels among cancer cases as compared with normal adults. Mean titers were 31o7 CIA50 units per 0.5 ml. and 35.7 CH50 units per ml. for normal adults and 4385 CIA50 units per 0.5 ml. and 51.8 CH50 units per ml. for cancer cases3. There was a tendency towards correlation in the two measurements so that a high level of CIA50 units was accompanied by a similar increase in CH50 units4. The significnce of the high complement levels among cancer cases and its relationship to resistance is discussed. (Conclusions)