The Serological Diagnosis of Cancer. Part I

Abstract

A search of the literature dealing with the serological diagnosis of malignant conditions reveals that at least two score of methods have been proposed which attempt to utilise for diagnosis special characteristics of the serum from patients suffering from cancer. Some of these, notably the Meiostagmin reaction of Ascoli and Izar, the Shaw-Mackenzie reaction, and the elaboration of the latter proposed by Lewis and his co-workers would seem to be associated with changes in the reactions of the serum involving fats or fatty acids. Certain reactions such as those of Matefy, and Kottmann are based on changes in the surface character of some component of the serum or possibly in changes in dispersion. Some authors such as von Dungern have attempted to utilise the method of complement deviation for diagnosis without, it would appear, any conspicuous success by other workers. Another group of reactions is that concerned with the proteolytic character of the serum. Into this group fall the tests of Abderhalden, Luttje and v. Mertz, Freund and Kaminer and to a less degree of Loschcke and Lehmann-Facius. The opinions on the usefulness of these methods are extraordinarily diverse (see Roussy). The views are as contrary as they are on serological methods which have been utilised for the early diagnosis of pregnancy.