Ceruloplasmin in human malignancies.

The ceruloplasmin concentration was determined in 145 cancer patients prior to and after treatment with different radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic regimes. The ceruloplasmin concentration was observed to be higher in patients with malignancies than in healthy controls. There was a positive correlation of the values with the clinical condition of the patients. The ceruloplasmin concentration was noted to stop increasing and subsequently fall in patients who responded to therapy, and, in contrast, to remain high or become higher in those who did not respond to therapy. The diagnostic and prognostic value of ceruloplasmin determination is discussed.