Serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein as an index of dissemination in breast cancer.

Assay of the serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (SAGP) produced by the liver in response to many disease states is shown to reflect prognosis and monitor progress in patients with early, recurrent and disseminated breast cancer. Eighteen of 26 patients with localized breast cancer and positive bone scans had elevated SAGP when first seen, but within 5 months of treatment 5 further patients with positive bone scans developed an elevated SAGP. Furthermore, an initially abnormal SAGP level became normal within 5 months in 5 of 6 patients with negative bone scans. While elevated SAGP in breast cancer correlates with positive bone scans, a series of normal values may indicate patients without early haematogenous dissemination of their disease.