CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF URINARY NEOPTERIN EXCRETION LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS DIGESTIVE CANCERS

Abstract

Urinary neopterin excretion levels were determined in 7 esophageal, 36 gastric, 10 colonic, 8 pancreatic and 18 hepatocellular carcinomas, and in 20 normal controls.
Urinary neopterin excretion increased significantly in gastric, colonic, pancreatic and hepatocellular carcinoma more than normal controls.
Percent abnormality of urinary neopterin in gastric cancer was 42% and urinary excretion increased in proportion as the stage advanced.
Urinary neopterin excretion in seven patients with gastric cancer decreased significantly after gastrectomy.
Urinary neopterin excretion level in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was correlated positively with their size.
From these results, it may be suggested that urinary neopterin excretion level reflects both the clinical status of the patient and tumor size, and is useful for observing clinical course and judging effects of the treatment.