Levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation fragment E and related substances in sera and effusions of patients with malignant disease.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed and used to determine the level of fragment E [a fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (FDP)] and of fragment-E-containing substances (FES) in sera and effusion fluids of patients with malignant diseases. Sera of patients with other diseases and sera of healthy individuals served as controls. Results were expressed as units/ml (U/ml), one unit being equivalent to 40 ng pure fragment E.

Antigens in immune complexes from patients with breast cancer. Identification of autoantigens in immune complexes isolated from breast cancer effusions.

Sera and effusion fluids of patients with breast cancer (BC) contain immune complexes (IC). Antigens present in these complexes were isolated as follows: a pool of effusions from patients with BC was fractionated with ammonium sulfate. The proteins precipitating at 40% saturation were further fractionated by filtration through a Sephadex G-200 column.

Immune complex-like materials in sera of patients with breast cancer: detection by complement-consumption assay.

Sera of patients with breast cancer were tested for the presence of immune complexes by a complement-consumption assay. To increase the concentration of immune complexes and thus improve the chances of their detection, sera were first ultracentrifuged and the sedimented material was assayed. Sera were considered to be positive if they consumed at least 75% of the hemolytic activity under the conditions of the test.