Plasma fibronectin in various hemopathic diseases.

Plasma fibronectin was determined by laser nephelometric immunoassay in two populations: (a) healthy subjects separated into three age groups (16-29 yr, 30-50 yr and over 50 yr) and, (b) patients with various hemopathic diseases without any infection or any therapy. Results showed that fibronectin levels in a healthy population were strongly influenced by age. An increase of human plasma fibronectin was shown to occur with age. Results in hemopathic patients were expressed in terms of percentage of mean deviations as compared to normal mean values for the corresponding age range. We found that plasma fibronectin was significantly decreased in acute myeloblastic leukemia, especially in transfused patients, polycythemia vera, osteomyelofibrosis. Waldenström disease, benign dysproteinemia, refractory anemia and stage IV non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma. Plasma fibronectin-decreased levels appear to be of prognostic value in the evolution of malignant hemopathic diseases.