| Abstract: | Peripheral blood concentrations of leucocytes, platelets and complement factors Clq, C3c, C3d, C4 and C5 were examined in 30 patients suffering from malignant tumours prior and after radiotherapy. In general, a decrease of blood cell concentrations as well as serum complement levels was noted using regression analysis. Two groups were formed: patients with (group I) and without (group II) foregoing tumour surgery. A positive correlation was found for all complement factors prior therapy in group I, whereas only some complement components did correlate in group II. The results in group I are in agreement with complements classical pathway activation. We conclude that the alternative pathways influence is responsible for the different results in group II. |
