Serum concentration of laminin, and course of the disease in patients with various malignancies.

Serum concentration of laminin was measured radioimmunologically in 96 patients suffering from various malignancies. Laminin levels were significantly elevated in patients with carcinomas and leukemias, but not in patients with sarcomas or lymphomas when compared with healthy controls. A good correlation could be found between serum laminin concentration and response to therapy in patients with carcinoma and leukemia. Elevated laminin levels were associated with a progressive course of the tumor condition. Furthermore, a close correlation has been detected between serum concentrations of laminin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with carcinoma of the colon. The serum laminin level seems to be a valuable parameter for observation of the course of certain malignancies.