[Reactivation of the alpha 1-fetoprotein synthesis in systemic lupus erythematosus]

Serum concentrations of AFP have been determined in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other "collagenoses" using fluorescence ELISA adapted to the chamber analytical technique. 20% of the SLE patients showed elevated AFP levels (range 30-233 ng/ml), some of them repeatedly. Only 2 of the 14 patients without SLE had AFP levels above 30 ng/ml (37 resp. 40 ng/ml). In SLE sera there was a significant correlation of raised AFP to higher anti-dsDNA antibody concentrations (Mann-Whitney U-test: p = 0.042). The mean dosage of azathioprin and prednisone in patients with SLE did not significantly differ from the non-SLE group. We discuss the possible reactivation of AFP synthesis on account of SLE itself.