Alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) plasma levels in lung, prostate and breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) is one of the most important extra-cellular serine protease inhibitors. Elevation of alpha1-AT serum levels have been observed in the course of a large number of malignant diseases. In this study, using Radial Immunodiffusion Method, we studied the serum levels of alpha1-AT in lung, prostate and breast cancer patients. RESULTS: Lung and prostate cancer patients have shown a significant elevation in alpha1-AT serum levels compared with those of healthy controls (P-value = 0,0001, 0,003 respectively). On the other hand, breast cancer patients did not show a significant change in these levels. Serum levels of alpha1-AT were 261.7 +/- 107.26, 222.7 +/- 87.30 and 183.8 +/- 45.05 mg/dl of lung, prostate and breast cancer patients, respectively, while those of healthy controls were 163.9 +/- 23.2 mg/dl in males and 186.13 +/- 39.81 mg/dl in females. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrated that alpha1-AT plasma levels might be an alarming factor to be considered in the diagnosis as well as in the follow up of cancer cases.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin phenotypes in patients with lung, prostate and breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of Alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) phenotypes in Jordanian patients with lung, prostate and breast cancer to find a prevalent phenotype that could be recommended for the early diagnosis of cancer. METHODS: This study was conducted at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan, during the period May 2001 to May 2002. Alpha1-AT phenotypes for 83 Jordanian cancer patients distributed as follows, 25 lung cancer, 25 prostate cancer and 33 with breast cancer, were tested using isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis and immunofixation techniques. RESULTS: Isoelectric focusing results demonstrated that 96% of lung cancer patients were of PiMM phenotype and 4% of PiFM phenotype. All prostate cancer patients (100%) were found to be of PiMM phenotype. Phenotypes of breast cancer patients were 94% PiMM, 3% PiFM and 3% PiMS. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that there were no significant differences in the distribution of alpha1-AT phenotypes among Jordanian patients with lung, prostate and breast cancer and they matched those reported for healthy individuals. Thus, we cannot recommend a given alpha1-AT phenotype for early diagnosis of the above mentioned types of cancer.