Value of some tumor markers in CNS infiltration of childhood leukemia and lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Some tumor markers were evaluated in serum and CSF of thirty-one children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]. Ten of the patients had clinical sings of central nervous system [CNS] infiltration. Significantly lower levels of carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA]; beta-2-microglobulin [beta-2-MG], beta- glucuronidase lysozyme and immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA were detected in serum and CSF of patients compared with pretherapy levels. Children with clinical evidences of CNS infiltration [32.3%] showed higher level of all studied markers in CSF compared with those without infiltration, but the differences were significant only in beta-2-MG, lysozyme and immunoglobulins. In 29% of patients without clinical evidences of CNS involvement, high levels of these markers in CSF were detected which may indicate early infiltration. Patients with relapses [14.2%] exhibited significant increase of CSF markers. The levels were higher than pretherapy levels. It was concluded that determination of CEA, beta-2-MG, beta- glucuronidase, lysozyme and immunoglobulins in CSF and serum of patients with ALL and NHL are valuable tools in early detection of relapses