[Radioimmunologic determination of immunoglobulin E in neoplasms]

3000 IgE serum concentrations were determine d radioimmunologically in a large group of 1616 tumor patients and a group of 308 controls. Because of a wide scattering the individual IgE levels do not give a diagnostic indication. On the other hand we have found a highly significant difference (p less than 0.001) between the IgE levels of male and female tumor patient-groups, which does not exist among the controls. Female patients tend to lower, male patients to higher levels. In patients with carcinoma of the testis three times higher IgE levels were found. Their relation to a coincidence with high HCG levels is discussed. Furthermore IgE follow up-studies are described. They correlate close by with the clinical picture. Consequently IgE follow up-studies are applicable to tumor prognosis and possibly to tumor therapy.