Immunoglobulin A deficiency (IgAD) is the most common form of primary immunodeficiency.

IgAD is characterized by apscence or very low level of serum IgA (<0.7 mg/dL) and normal serum ranges of IgG and IgM. Pathogenesis of IgAD and its molecular and genetic basis is important, knowing that this immunodeficiency is related with epithelial malignancies such as respiratory and gastrointestinal tumors. Aim of this study was to investigate IgAD in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, as well as to determine potential relation between IgAD and certan type of tumor. The research included 60 patients with confirmed gastrointestinal tumors of various types. For every patient qualitatively were tested levels of serum IgA and anti IgA atibodies, using ID microgel cards (Particle Gel Immuno Assay methods). Levels of serum IgA were also quantitavely tested in reference laboratory. Using Particle Gel Immunoassay method, there was no evidence for decrease of serum IgA or presence of anti-IgA antibodies in our group of patinets. This result was confirmed with quantitative laboratory investigation. This study shows no significant relation between IgAD and gastrointestinal tumors, which is in accordance with actual litarture.

There have only been registered sporadic cases of carcinoma in these patients, which implies that the research should include a larger number of patients.

Also, more detail cognition of molecular and genetic mechanism of IgAD would help in understanding oncogenic effect of this immunodeficiency.