Complement and its fractions (C3-C4) pattern in subjects with neoplasia

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• The complement system plays a crucial role in immune responses.
• Alterations in complement levels may indicate disease states, including cancer.
• Monitoring complement activity could offer insights into cancer progression and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic changes in total complement (CH50) and its fractions (C3, C4) after surgery in cancer patients.
• To correlate these complement levels with disease progression, metastasis, and clinical outcomes.
• To evaluate the potential of CH50 and its fractions as biomarkers in breast, gastric, and colon-rectum carcinomas.

Main Methods:

• Assay of total complement (CH50) and complement fractions C3 and C4.
• Longitudinal monitoring of complement levels for up to two years post-surgery.
• Analysis of complement patterns in patients with breast, gastric, and colon-rectum carcinomas.
• Correlation of complement levels with clinical evolution, including relapse and metastasis.

Main Results:

• Before surgery, CH50 levels were below the normal range.
• CH50 levels increased post-surgery, returning to normal within a month.
• In patients without relapse or metastasis, CH50 remained normal.
• In patients with metastasis or terminal disease, CH50 levels fell below the normal range.
• The C3 fraction exhibited a pattern similar to CH50.
• C4 levels showed no significant variation correlated with disease stages.

Conclusions:

• Post-surgical changes in total complement (CH50) and C3 fraction may serve as indicators of cancer recurrence and progression.
• CH50 and C3 show potential as prognostic biomarkers in breast, gastric, and colon-rectum carcinomas.
• C4 fraction does not appear to be a reliable biomarker for monitoring these cancer types.