Secretory IgA estimation in the sera of patients with gynecological cancer

Secretory component of IgA (SIgA) was isolated by DEAE Sephacel anion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G200, radioiodinated, and a radioimmunoassay procedure developed. The standard inhibition curve was linear to 10 ng/ml. The levels of SIgA in the serum of normal persons was 1.9 +/- 0.1 microgram/ml (mean +/- SE), whereas in lactating women the level was 5.5 +/- 0.5. In cancer of the ovary, endometrium, and cervix, the levels of SIgA were 3.1 +/- 0.3, 2.2 +/- 0.5, and 2.8 +/- 0.4 microgram/ml respectively. A significantly increased level of SIgA was found in 13/24 (54%) of patients with cancer of the ovary and in 5/15 (33%) of patients with cancer of the cervix. Further studies are in progress to establish levels of SIgA following surgery and chemotherapy.