Serum levels of carcinomedin (1-keto-24-methyl-25-hydroxycholecalciferol) as an indicator of the progression of cancer. Preliminary results of a prospective study.

The serum levels of the cholesterol derivative 1-keto-24-methyl-25-hydroxycholecalciferol found in patients with cancer varies after surgical, chemical or radiotherapy treatments. The serum level associated with the vitamin profile has a predictive value for evaluating progress of the disease and therapeutic efficacy. The detection, identification and assay of a vitamin D3 derivative, 1-keto-24-methyl-25-hydroxycholecalciferol, named carcinomedin by us, in the serum of cancer patients was described in prior work. Also, the assay of carcinomedin, combined with those of serum levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol indicated a statistically significant correlation between these parameters and the localization of the primary neoplastic mass. In spite of the probable connection between carcinomedin and the presence of a neoplastic mass, several questions remain unanswered. In particular, it may be asked if the stage and progression of the tumor, surgical, chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic treatments may be related with any type of change in the serum levels of carcinomedin and fat soluble vitamins? To verify and respond to these questions, patients with various cancers (stomach, esophagus, breast, ovaries, uterus, etc.) were followed for three years. Clinical data were compared to analytical data supplied by assays of carcinomedin and the fat soluble vitamins.