Quantitative immunoenzyme determination of the lactoferrin and alpha-lactalbumin in the blood serum of cancer patients

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been used for quantitative determination of lactoferrin (Lf) and alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-La) in human blood serum. The mean concentration of Lf in normal serum was 265 +/- 21 ng/ml and that of alpha-La did not exceed 5 ng/ml. The increased Lf level (above 450 ng/ml) was found in 16 of 30 (53%) patients with gastrointestinal cancer, in 11 of 25 (44%)--with lung cancer, in 13 of 42 (31%)--with breast cancer and more rarely--in other cancer patients. The increased alpha-La level (above 5.0 mg/ml) was found in 5 of 42 patients with breast cancer and very rarely--in other cancer patients. A conclusion is drawn that serological measurements of Lf and alpha-La were of no diagnostic value for breast cancer.