fibrinopeptide-a and Carcinoma--Squamous-Cell

The preoperative plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A (FPA), D-dimer (DD), and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) were measured in 38 patients with cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. The surgical-pathological stage of disease was Ib in 17 patients, IIa in 9 patients, and IIb in 12 patients. The tumor size was < or = 4 cm in 20 patients and > 4 cm in 18 patients. The histologic type was squamous cell carcinoma in 32 patients and adenocarcinoma in 6 patients. Positive pelvic lymph nodes were found in 10 patients. When compared to controls, FPA, DD, and vWF levels were significantly raised in patients with surgical-pathological stage IIb disease but not in patients with stage Ib or IIa disease. The values of FPA, DD, and vWF were related to surgical-pathological stage (stage IIb vs stage Ib-IIa: P < 0.005, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) and tumor size (> 4 cm vs < or = 4 cm: P < 0.05, P < 0.005, and P < 0.02, respectively), but not to histologic type. vWF values were also related to lymph node status (positive vs negative lymph nodes: P < 0.02). FPA and DD levels were higher in patients with positive lymph nodes than in patients with negative lymph nodes, but the difference did not reach the statistical significance even due to the small number of patients involved. In conclusion, increased fibrin production and degradation seem to occur in patients with stage IIb cervical cancer. The biological meaning of this hemostasis activation deserves further investigation.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Female; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrinopeptide A; Humans; Hysterectomy; Lymphatic Metastasis; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; von Willebrand Factor

Acute myocardial infarction was observed in two patients receiving standard intravenous doses of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. Therefore, the authors prospectively assessed the thrombogenicity of this agent by studying ten patients, six with head and neck cancer and four with gastrointestinal malignancies, receiving 5-FU (1 g/m2/day) as a constant intravenous infusion over a 4-day or 5-day period. The six patients with head and neck cancer also received a single dose of 100 mg/m2 of cisplatin on day 1. Blood samples were obtained preinfusion, 24 hours into the infusion, and postinfusion. Samples were assayed for fibrinopeptide A (FpA) by enzyme-linked immunoassay, for protein C activity (PCa) using a chromogenic substrate (Spectrozyme PCa), and protein C (PCag) and free protein S antigen (PSag) by electroimmunoassay. No patient experienced a thrombotic event. A significant increase was observed in FpA levels during the infusion which returned toward baseline at the conclusion of the infusion. After infusion of 5-FU, the PCa value was significantly lower than the PCag (37 +/- 17 versus 69 +/- 24%; P less than 0.002). No effect on protein S was observed. The changes in the patients receiving 5-FU alone were comparable to those who also received CDDP. The authors conclude that during the infusion of 5-FU, the rise in FpA activation and reduction in PCa as compared to PCag are compatible with activation of coagulation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anus Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cisplatin; Fibrinogen; Fibrinopeptide A; Fluorouracil; Humans; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Prospective Studies; Protein C; Tongue Neoplasms

The prompt reduction of elevated fibrinopeptide A (FPA) levels (normal less than 1.3 pmole/ml) by heparin therapy in patients with thromboembolism suggests that measuring the FPA level may provide a good index of disease activity and be a useful method of monitoring therapy. Sepsis or malignancy may elevate FPA levels and coexist with thromboembolism. FPA levels were surveyed in 51 patients with thromboembolism (including 15 with concurrent sepsis or malignancy) during heparin treatment in an attempt to distinguish the effects of coexistent disease and the progression of thromboembolism. The anticoagulant effect of heparin was within the therapeutic range for 81% of the study period. In patients with thromboembolism alone and marked resolution of emboli on repeat lung scan, the mean daily FPA levels were lower than the values in patients with minimal resolution (p less than 0.005). In patients with marked resolution of pulmonary embolism or venous thrombosis and a concurrent disorder, the mean FPA level remained elevated compared to normal values in patients with thromboembolism alone. These results suggest that FPA levels monitored during heparin therapy of thromboembolism may be useful as an index of disease activity except in the presence of coexisting sepsis or malignancy.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Anticoagulants; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Female; Fibrinogen; Fibrinopeptide A; Heart Failure; Heparin; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphoid; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Middle Aged; Polycythemia Vera; Pulmonary Embolism; Sepsis; Thromboembolism