Serum SP1, hPL and beta-hCG levels in trophoblastic diseases

Abstract

Serum SP1 (pregnancy specific beta 1 glycoprotein), hPL (human placental lactogen) and beta-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) in patients with choriocarcinoma, invasive mole, and hydati-diform mole were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and compared with those in normal males, non-pregnant women and normal pregnant women in order to evaluate the clinical significance of SP1, hPL and beta-hCG determinations. Serum SP1 levels at the time of admission were highest in hydatidiform mole (5.1 +/- 0.6 micrograms/L) and lowest in choriocarcinoma (0.5 +/- 0.3 micrograms/L). Serum hPL levels were 68.2 +/- 9.7 ng/L in hydatidiform mole and 26.4 +/- 8.3 ng/L in choriocarcinoma. Serum SP1 and hPL levels in trophoblastic diseases were lower than in normal pregnancies (SP1 11.5 +/- 5.1 micrograms/L, hPL 216.8 +/- 48.1 ng/L). SP1/beta-hCG ratios were less than 1.5 in 4/43 (9.3%) cases of hydatidiform mole and 17/19 (89.5%) cases of invasive mole and choriocarcinoma. The beta-hCG/hPL ratios were below 15 in 35/43 (81.4%) cases of hydatidiform mole and 4/19 (21.1%) malignant trophoblastic diseases. The prognosis after operation and chemotherapy was favourable if patient's SP1 and beta-hCG levels gradually decreased.