Elevated plasma lysozyme in Hodgkin's disease. An indicator of increased macrophage activity?

Plasma lysozyme levels were studied in 42 patients with Hodgkin's disease and were found significantly increased. Plasma lysozyme varied with the stage of the disease and with symptoms, but did not correlate with the histological subtype or with blood neutrophil and monocyte counts. Serial measurements in four patients on MOPP treatment showed a rapid decrease following treatment. The increased plasma lysozyme in Hodgkin's disease stems most likely from the macrophage system, either because the macrophages are hyperactive and/or because the malignant cell in Hodgkin's disease is of macrophage origin.