[Neuron-specific enolase (NSE)--a suitable tumor marker in malignant melanoma?].
The neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level is elevated in neurons and in numerous cells of the APUD system; melanocytes are also considered to belong to this system. In order to test the relevance of NSE as a tumour marker for malignant melanoma, its concentration in serum was radioimmunologically determined in 89 patients with melanomas: 24 in stage I (primary tumours), 44 in stage II (regional metastases), and 21 in stage III (distant metastases). The average (+/- coefficient of variation) concentrations recorded were 7.4 micrograms/l (+/- 46%) in patients in stage I, 5.8 micrograms/l (+/- 32%) in those in stage II, and 11.0 micrograms/l (+/- 72%) in those in stage III. A threshold value of 11.5 micrograms/l was exceeded in 9 cases, including 8 patients in stage III. Since definitely increased values arose almost exclusively in distant metastases, determination of NSE levels in serum is hardly a suitable tool for early detection of latent metastases.
Universitäts-Hautklinik Tübingen.
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Hornef
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Lux
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Rassner
D001078:APUD Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
Neuronen-spezifische Enolase (NSE)--ein geeigneter Tumormarker des malignen Melanoms?