Role of circulating immune complexes in prognostic evaluation and management of genitourinary cancer patients.

ABSTRACT

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were estimated in 48 Patients of genitourinary cancer by polyethylene glycol precipitation (PEG pptn.) test and latex agglutination inhibition (LAI). The results were compared with 25 healthy control volunteers. Pathological levels of CIC were observed in 79.18 percent patients of genitourinary cancer by combination of PEG pptn. and LAI tests, while no seropositivity for CIC was observed in control group (p < 0.001). Sequential increase in seropositivity for CIC was observed with advancing stage of genitourinary cancer i.e. number of seropositive patients in cancer stage I were 60 percent, stage II-71.42 percent, stage III-85.71 percent and stage IV-100 percent. Variation IN CIC levels in different patients within the same stage are compared. Circulating antigen antibody complexes have a significant role as prognostic monitors in management of genitourinary cancer patients. Statistical evaluation of data on intra- and inter-assay variation has been given. CIC levels rise with increases in tumor burden in vivo hence variation in CIC levels within the same stage in different patient have a significant role as prognostic monitors in management of individual patients.