Changes of serum complement concentrations in tumour patients prior and after radiotherapy

Peripheral blood concentrations of leucocytes, platelets and complement factors Clq, C3c, C3d, C4 and C5 were examined in 30 patients suffering from malignant tumours prior and after radiotherapy. In general, a decrease of blood cell concentrations as well as serum complement levels was noted using regression analysis. Two groups were formed: patients with (group I) and without (group II) foregoing tumour surgery. A positive correlation was found for all complement factors prior therapy in group I, whereas only some complement components did correlate in group II. The results in group I are in agreement with complements classical pathway activation. We conclude that the alternative pathways influence is responsible for the different results in group II.