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Ceruloplasmin as a Marker of Neoplastic Activity in Rabbits Bearing the VX-2 Carcinoma¹

Section of Immunology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan [H. U-W., A. G., E. S., Z. T.], and Department of Internal Medicine, Asaf Harofe Government Hospital, Tel-Aviv University Medical School, Zrifin [M. W.], Israel

The establishment of an experimental model with rabbits in which VX-2 carcinoma was implanted in the gastrocnemius muscle and subsequently successfully cured by a second tumor cell inoculation has been reported previously. Tumor growth and regression could be followed by manual palpation.

The changes in serum ceruloplasmin (CP, EC 1.10.3.2) levels of individual rabbits during tumor development and regression were followed. CP levels increased 4- to 8-fold of normal during the progression of the malignant process, often before tumors could be detected by palpation. With tumor regression CP levels returned to normal. When metastasis developed, the CP levels remained high. This phenomenon seems to be related to the VX-2 carcinoma, since CP levels in rabbits challenged with various antigens and suffering from induced multiple s.c. abscesses did not change significantly, while in pregnant rabbits CP levels increased up to at most 3-fold.

It is concluded that serum CP level can serve as a reliable biochemical marker of the activity of this malignant process. The practical application of this finding lies in the follow-up of malignant processes in humans and is now under investigation.

¹ This work was supported by Mr. and Mrs. M. Spiro-Setwood Charitable Trust.

Received 4/ 7/77. Accepted 1/11/78.