Transferrin, C3 complement, haptoglobin, plasminogen and alpha 2-microglobulin in patients with urogenital tumors

The serum levels of transferrin, haptoglobin, C3 proactivator, plasminogen and alpha 2-macroglobulin have been measured in patients suffering from urogenital cancer. In this randomized study, we found a frequent decrease of transferrin coinciding with the elevation of C3-proactivator and haptoglobin. The serum concentration of plasminogen and alpha 2-macroglobulin were rarely observed in the pathological range excluding cancer-associated changes. Tumor metabolites and/or the circulating immune complex may account for the alteration of transferrin, haptoglobin and C3-proactivator, more than primary cancer-related synthesis of these proteins.