[Value of neopterin as an oncologic laboratory parameter--observations in gynecologic tumors]

First experience is presented concerning the diagnostic utility of serum neopterin determinations in cancer care. The data refer to single measurements (198 sera) and follow-up studies (30 gynecological cases) of the neopterin level of patients suffering from bowel carcinomas, mammary carcinomas, and gynecological disorders. The outcome reveals that single values do not essentially add to the diagnostic result obtainable by conventional markers. Therefore, the consistent follow-up of the neopterin level is recommended. As exemplified for a series of gynecological patients, repeatedly elevated serum neopterin values after therapeutic intervention indicate a worse prognosis than values remaining within the physiological range. These conclusions need to be more firmly established by extended observation time and a greater number of cases. To make better and reliable use of neopterin in cancer diagnosis, it is necessary to analyse the immunological background of the altered neopterin synthesis (or shedding) in malignant diseases.