[Pregnancy associated alpha2-glycoprotein (alpha2-PAG) in the serum of patients with gynecologic carcinomas]

alpha2-PAG is a high-molecular, carbohydrate-containing glycoprotein. It occurs in traces in normal human serum. The variations in serum levels of this protein were studied during treatment of 32 gynecological cancer patients in the course of 2 years. The periodic alpha2-PAG determinations were done with an electro-immuno-assay. A correspondence between alpha2-PAG serum levels and the clinical course could be found in 60%. In 5 of 13 patients who did not respond to therapy alpha2-PAG levels rose, additional 4 had unchanged high levels, whereas 13 of 17 patients had significantly decreased levels on successful treatment. The relevance of periodic alpha2-PAG determinations is discussed.