Levels of two calcium‐binding proteins, calbindin D‐28k (calbindin‐D) and S‐100 protein B (S‐100b), were measured by immunoassay in solid tumors obtained surgically from pediatric patients. Mean concentrations of calbindin‐D and S‐100b in 73 neuroblastomas (23 ganglioneuroblastomas and 50 neuroblastomas) were 10‐ or 25‐fold higher, respectively, than those in other types of solid tumors in pediatric patients (n=15). The mean tumor concentration of calbindin‐D in patients with neuroblastoma (n=73) was 25.1 ng/mg (range 0.20 to 317.0 ng/mg soluble protein, SE=6.26); that of S‐100b was 278.3 ng/mg (range 0.93 to 2521 ng/mg soluble protein, SE=71.7). The mean concentration of calbindin‐D (4.4 ng/mg soluble protein) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in stage IV, the most advanced stage. The mean concentration of S‐100b (74.0 ng/mg soluble protein) was lower in patients with undifferentiated neuroblastomas (P < 0.01). Tumor levels of the two calcium‐binding proteins were not correlated in patients with neuroblastoma, but each was strongly correlated with outcome in patients with neuroblastoma. The evidence suggests that measurements of the calcium‐binding proteins calbindin‐D and S‐100b would be useful for evaluating the prognosis of patients with neuroblastoma.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.