Reactivation of the alpha 1-fetoprotein synthesis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Serum concentrations of AFP have been determined in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other "collagenoses" using fluorescence ELISA adapted to the chamber analytical technique. 20% of the SLE patients showed elevated AFP levels (range 30-233 ng/ml), some of them repeatedly. Only 2 of the 14 patients without SLE had AFP levels above 30 ng/ml (37 resp. 40 ng/ml). In SLE sera there was a significant correlation of raised AFP to higher anti-dsDNA antibody concentrations (Mann-Whitney U-test: p = 0.042). The mean dosage of azathioprin and prednisone in patients with SLE did not significantly differ from the non-SLE group. We discuss the possible reactivation of AFP synthesis on account of SLE itself.