title: Serum N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in breast cancer.
abstract: N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) and its isoenzymes were measured in 60 patients with breast cancer and in 30 patients suffering from benign breast tumors. NAG activity was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in cancer patients. The concentration of isoenzyme A always exceeded that of isoenzyme B, but isoenzyme B concentration was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in patients than in controls. An intermediate form, I, was more evident but not significant in patients. Evaluation of the predictive value of the NAG isoenzyme B, revealed a good sensitivity, efficiency and specificity. It seems from this study that the determination of the isoenzyme NAG B activity may be useful for better diagnosis of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Lab. Biochimica Clinica, Instituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Severini
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Aliberti
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000201:enzymology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase