fibrinopeptide-a and Neuroblastoma

A method is described for isolating bovine fibrinopeptide B (bFPB) in a highly purified form from crude bovine fibrinogen, using ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose. Desulphated bFPB (designated DSbFPB) was prepared by treatment of the product with acid. After incubating DSbFPB with [35S]PAPS, in the presence of a particulate preparation from neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells, radioactivity was incorporated into a product identified as [35S]bFPB from its position of elution on reverse-phase HPLC. The possible significance of this observation is discussed.

Topics: Amino Acids; Animals; Cattle; Cell Line; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Fibrinogen; Fibrinopeptide A; Fibrinopeptide B; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Mice; Neuroblastoma; Rats; Sulfates; Sulfurtransferases

We performed coagulation studies in 16 patients with advanced neuroblastoma. Four of these patients had major hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications. Abnormal coagulation screening tests were seen in all patients with active metastatic disease. We also measured plasma fibrinopeptide A, a sensitive measure of intravascular thrombin generation. Increased concentrations of fibrinopeptide A were found in each patient studied with active metastatic disease. Coagulopathy is a frequent finding in metastatic neuroblastoma and may cause severe morbidity. Laboratory studies suggesting either hyper- or hypocoagulability are frequent findings.

Topics: Blood Coagulation Factors; Child, Preschool; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrinopeptide A; Humans; Infant; Male; Neuroblastoma; Partial Thromboplastin Time; Prothrombin Time