Changes in clusterin serum concentration levels in oncologic patients during the course of spa therapy--a pilot study.

Background: Clusterin (70-80 kDa; synonym ApoJ) is a stress-associated cytoprotective glycoprotein involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes and it is up-regulated by various apoptotic triggers in many cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

Aim: Measurement of serum clusterin values in individuals with a history of cancer before and after spa therapy.

Methods: Serum clusterin concentration (ELISA) was determined in a group of 26 oncologic patients (4 men and 22 women) at the beginning and at the end (the 18th or 19th day) of spa treatment.