Electron spin resonance of caeruloplasmin and iron transferrin in blood of patients with various malignant diseases.

Electron spin resonance studies have been made of caeruloplasmin and iron transferrin levels in whole blood of healthy controls and patients with a variety of malignant conditions receiving various forms of treatment. A small difference was found in caeruloplasmin level between normal males and females, although normal females receiving contraceptive steroids had an elevated level. No difference was found in iron transferrin level. Various conditions increased the caeruloplasmin and some also decreased the iron transferrin level in patients with malignant disease. These included surgery and the approach of a terminal phase of disease. Once allowance for these factors was made, the remaining small differences in Cu and Fe between patients with either squamous cell carcinoma or breast cancer and controls appeared to have no clinical significance.