Hyperuricaemia as an index of the response to chemotherapy in solid tumors

A transient increase in uric acid level following administration of high doses of Cyclophosphamide in the 1st course of cytostatic therapy applied for various solid tumors (mostly lung cancer) was observed in 10 patients with measurable disease simultaneously with complete or partial (above 50%) regression of the tumor. The same effect was noted in further 5 patients, who, however, had non-measurable disease. On the other hand, the clinical course of the disease and survival were similar in these 5 patients and in the former 10 patients. No corresponding increase in the uric acid level was observed in 87 patients with similar disease and treatment, but not responding to chemotherapy and with short survival. It is concluded, that hyperuricaemia may indicate responsiveness to chemotherapy in cancer patients with non-measurable disease.