Urinary neopterine as marker for haematological neoplasias

Urinary neopterine levels were studied in 79 normal subjects and in 112 patients with haematological neoplasias. The mean values in 79 patients with active disease were significantly raised compared to the control group. Results obtained in 79 patients with active disease indicate that 91% had neopterine levels higher than the mean value of 79 normal individuals +3 SD. There is only a little overlap between the range of neopterine levels in cancer patients and the range in healthy subjects. No significant difference was found between the mean urinary neopterine levels of 33 patients with non-Hodgkin's or with Hodgkin's lymphoma in remission and the healthy group. Only 15% of these patients had elevated neopterine levels. The mean urinary neopterine levels correlated well with the tumor stage in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and with non-Hodgkin's disease. In patients with chronic leukaemia those without hepatosplenomegaly excreted significantly more neopterine than controls, and patients with hepatosplenomegaly significantly more than those without hepatosplenomegaly. It is concluded that urinary neopterine levels are of value for following the progression of haematological neoplasias.