Adenosine deaminase activity in patients with renal adenocarcinoma.

Erythrocyte and lymphocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels were studied in 31 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Decreased lymphocyte ADA levels occurred in patients with RCC. Erythrocyte ADA levels were reduced only in blood type B and O patients. Nephrectomy resulted in a rise in lymphocyte and erythrocyte ADA levels. Progression of clinical disease was associated with a fall in lymphocyte ADA values in all patients and with a rise in erythrocyte levels only in blood type A patients. Our results suggest that changes in erythrocyte and lymphocyte ADA levels in RCC patients are acquired and may offer insight into host-tumor interactions.