OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between the level of serum 25-hydroxyvi-tamin D3 and the development and prognosis of NHL in order to provide the theoretical basic for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of NHL.

METHODSThe serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D's level of 84 NHL patients and 60 healthy persons was detected by using enzyme-linked immunsorbent assay.

RESULTSThe level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in NHL group was significantly lower than that in normal control group and the difference between NHL patients and normal controls was statistically significant. The stage and cell source of NHL patients showed little effect on the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. There were significant differences of the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in different group and sites of origin as well as in presence or absence of bone marrow infiltration.

CONCLUSIONSThe level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 can be considered as tumor burden index of NHL and can be used to evaluate the prognosis of NHL.