Paper electrophoretic study of serum proteins in children with leukemia

Abstract

Summary<ul><li>1.Serum protein analyses by paper electrophoresis on twenty-three children with leukemia have been presented.</li><li>2.Normal serum protein patterns were frequently observed. Variations from normal consisted of low albumin and gamma globulin and occasionally an increase in alpha₁ and alpha₂ globulins in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. In acute myelogenous leukemia a decrease in the albumin fraction and an increase in alpha₁ and alpha₂ globulins occurred. A low albumin and beta globulin and occasional elevation of the alpha₂ globulin were sometimes seen in patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia. The one patient studied with chronic lymphocytic leukemia showed a normal serum protein pattern.</li><li>3.The mean values for each serum protein constituent in each group of leukemia patients studied fell within the normal range; however, wide variations from the mean plus or minus (±) 1.96 standard deviations of the mean were encountered.</li><li>4.No direct correlation could be made between the alteration of serum protein constituents and the drugs employed in the therapy of these patients except for a decrease in the albumin fraction during steroid therapy.</li><li>5.Alterations in the normal serum protein fractions in patients with leukemia is probably of a nonspecific nature and may be related to tissue destruction, fever, or infection.</li><li>6.Changes in the electrophoretic serum protein components in the present study were of little value in the diagnosis of leukemia; however, the presence of abnormal patterns may lead one to suspect a relapse and progression of the disease.</li></ul>