Biologic differences between neuroblastoma stages IV-S and IV. Measurement of serum ferritin and E-rosette inhibition in 30 children.

In an examination of the biologic differences between neuroblastoma Stage IV-S (metastases to liver, skin, or bone marrow but not to bone), which has a high likelihood of spontaneous regression, and Stage IV (metastases to bone), which is usually fatal, 13 children with Stage IV-S disease and 17 with Stage IV were studied at diagnosis or shortly thereafter. Serum ferritin levels were elevated in 15 of the 17 children with Stage IV diseases, but not in the 13 with Stage IV-S. E-rosette inhibitory factor was not present in the serum of 12 of 13 Stage IV-S patients, but was detected in 12 of 17 Stage IV patients. All 12 Stage IV patients with inhibitory factor was not present in the serum of 12 of 13 Stage IV-S patients, but was detected in 12 of 17 Stage IV patients. All 12 Stage IV patients with inhibitory factor had elevated serum ferritin levels. Elevated ferritin levels and E-rosette inhibitory factor appear to distinguish Stage IV neuroblastoma from Stage IV-S.