Abnormalities of complement and its components in patients with acute leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and sarcoma.

Whole complement and component titers were measured in patients with acute leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and sarcoma. Serum samples were obtained from 42 consecutive patients and 11 healthy control subjects. Sera were frozen and maintained at -70 degrees until analyzed by hemolytic assay. Titers were normalized using a titer obtained from a single source of pooled human serum analyzed simultaneously with each patient sample to correct for day-to-day variation inherent in the assay technique. Significant elevations (p less than or equal to 0.05) of whole complement and C5, C8, and C9 were observed for each patient category, compared to controls. Forty-one of 42 patients had C9 titers greater than or equal to 2 S.D. above the mean titer for controls. Mean C3 and C7 titers were not elevated or depressed in any group. No clinical factors that correlated with abnormal complement or component titers were identified.