The Serological Diagnosis of Cancer. Part I

A search of the literature dealing with the serological diagnosis of malignant conditions reveals that a t least two score of methods have been proposed which attempt to utilise for diagnosis special characteristics of the serum from patients suffering from cancer. Some of these, notably the Meiostagmin reaction of AscoIi and Izar, the Shaw-Mackenzie reaction, and the elaboration of the latter proposed by Lewis and his co-workers would seem to be associated with changes in the reactions of the serum involving fats or fatty acids. Certain reactions such as those of MPitBfy, and Kottmann are based on changes in the surface character of some component of the serum or possibly in changes in dispersion. Some authors such as von Dungern have attempted to utilise the method of complement deviation for diagnosis without, it would appear, any conspicuous success by other workers. Another group of reactions is that concerned with the proteolytic character of the serum. Into this group fall the tests of Abderhalden, Liittje and v. Mertz, Freund and Kaminer and to a less degree of Loschcke and Lehmann-Facius. The opinions on the usefulness of these methods are extraordinarily diverse (see Roussy). The views are as contrary as they are on serological methods which have been utilised for the early diagnosis of pregnancy. Certain workers whose opinions are entitled to the greatest respect, go so far as to assert that there is no evidence either in malignancy or in pregnancy to permit one to postulate a change in the serum capable of being detected by immunological or chemical methods. This point of view which, if it were accepted, would restrain any further work on the subject, seems to us to be extreme. If one be allowed to group the formation of the placenta and malignant growths into a loose category, the