Serum concentration of alpha-2-macroglobulin, alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin [correction of alpha-2-antichymotrypsin] in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

In twenty four patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease we have determined several antiproteases. Our findings have shown the decrease of concentration of alpha-2-macroglobulin and increase of alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. The observed changes were statistically significant p < 0.001. We did not find any correlation between the concentration of inhibitors and the clinical stage of carcinoma and histopathological data. The determination of the level of antiproteases in patients with cancer disease may be assumed to reflect partly at least the capability of anticancer mechanism in the host.