Diagnostic and prognostic value of RNA-proteolipid in sera of patients with malignant disorders following therapy: first clinical evaluation of a novel tumor marker.

The circulating level of a novel RNA-proteolipid complex associated with malignant diseases was critically evaluated as a tumor marker in clinical oncology. The complex, isolated from the sera of cancer patients, exhibited unvarying chemical composition regardless of the cell type and clinical staging. Clearance from blood was rapid with a half-life of approximately 2 days. Tumor mass could be correlated with the circulating level. After effective treatment the level fell and rose again 10 months prior to the conventional clinical diagnosis of relapse.