Cerebrospinal Fluid Neopterin in Patients with Tumors and other Disorders

Increased urinary or serum concentrations of neopterin have been reported in cancer patients, but less is known about neopterin concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF neopterin was determined with radioimmunoassay in 64 patients. CSF neopterin concentrations in patients with tumors were significantly higher compared to patients with predominantly peripheral infections (Lyme borreliosis and herpes simplex infection) and no infectious, inflammatory or neoplastic disorder, and significantly lower compared to patients with meningitis or encephalitis. Among patients with tumors, CSF neopterin was significantly higher in patients with non- Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) compared to other tumors. The difference between patients with tumors other than NHL and predominantly peripheral infections was of borderline significance, and a significant difference was observed between patients with tumors other than NHL and no disorder. CSF neopterin was significantly higher in patients with NHL compared to patients with predominantly peripheral infections, multiple sclerosis or polyneuropathy and no disorder, and no difference was evident compared to patients with meningitis or encephalitis. In conclusion, among patients with tumors, high CSF neopterin may suggest the diagnosis of NHL.