Clinical value of cystatin c determination in children with lymphoma

Cystatin, a proteinase inhibitor, is involved in the intracellular catabolism of proteins. We investigated the change in concentration of serum Cystatin C (CysC) in children with lymphomas and its diagnostic utility. Twenty-eight newly diagnosed patients with lymphoma were included in this study. The male/female ratio was 20/8, with a median age of 8.5 years (range 3-17 years). Thirteen patients had Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and 15 had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Cystatin C concentration was determined at the time of diagnosis and during remission. In the entire group, CysC concentrations at diagnosis and during remission were 0.87+/-0.29 mg/L and 0.86+/-0.21 mg/L, respectively (p=0.93). In the NHL group, CysC concentrations at diagnosis and remission were 0.89+/-0.32 mg/L and 0.85+/-0.23 mg/L, respectively (p=0.73). The CysC concentrations in the HL group at diagnosis and remission were 0.88+/-0.36 mg/L and 0.88+/-0.18 mg/L, respectively (p=0.73). No significant difference was observed between CysC concentrations in the HL (0.88+/-0.36 mg/L) and NHL (0.89+/-0.32 mg/L) groups. Cystatin C concentrations in all the patients with localized versus those with advanced disease were 0.91+/-0.41 mg/L and 0.88+/-0.3 mg/L, respectively (p=0.83). Cystatin C concentrations of the patients with localized and advanced HL were 0.95+/-0.45 mg/L and 0.77+/-0.14 mg/L, respectively, (p=0.41). Cystatin C level was higher in patients with localized disease, in those without B symptoms, and, at diagnosis, in those with an unfavorable response (Tab. 2, Ref. 20). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.