A study of 353 serum copper levels (SCL) in 236 patients with non‐Hodg‐kin's lymphoma has demonstrated, in general, a clinically useful relationship between SCL and disease activity. Elevated SCL in the active disease decreases as disease activity is reduced in response to therapy, with normal SCL in inactive phases and increased SCL in relapse generally preceding clinical signs. This relationship of SCL to disease activity is noted in all histologic groups and types of malignant lymphoma, with SCL values slightly higher in undifferentiated lymphoma. An analysis of apparently inconsistent SCL has been included. The relationship between SCL and extent of disease is shown by marked elevation of SCL in generalized disease as contrasted to localized disease. A detailed study of sequential SCL in 18 patients undergoing therapy also confirmed its clinical usefulness in the evaluation of status of disease activity and efficacy of therapy.
This pilot study comprises observations of serum copper changes in 70 patients with lymphoma and leukemia. The largest groups consisted of 28 patients with Hodgkin's disease and 23 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. The results obtained support the following tentative conclusions: (1) The general activity of Hodgkin's disease is reflected in serum copper levels—if rising, increasing activity of the disease; if declining, decreasing activity. (2) Serum copper determinations have a role in the differentiation of active and inactive status in patients with Hodgkin's disease. (3) Serum copper levels may anticipate clinical response to treatment in Hodgkin's disease. (4) Serum copper levels are helpful in determining disease activity and response to therapy in other lymphomas but are of doubtful value in patients with reticulum cell sarcoma. (5) Serum copper levels reflect bone marrow activity and response to treatment in previously untreated acute leukemic individuals. Each of these interpretations must be verified by further clinical studies.
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