title: Serum alkaline deoxyribonuclease activity, a sensitive marker for the therapeutic monitoring of cancer patients: methodological aspects.
abstract: Alkaline deoxyribonuclease (DNase) is present in human circulating serum but its physiological role and signification of its variations are still largely unknown. The present report demonstrates that between 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C, as measured in the presence of 0.25 mmol/l Ca2+ and 5 mmol/l Mg2+, serum alkaline DNase activity increases, in most sera, reaching a level far higher than expected from thermal activation. This observation is thought to be due to the thermal inactivation of a serum inhibitor of the enzyme, which limits its usefulness as a therapeutic marker. By measuring serum alkaline DNase activity at 50 degrees C, the authors have developed a clinical test which has been successfully applied to the therapeutic monitoring of patients with various types of cancers.
authors.affiliation: Département des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgique.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dewez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lans
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Allaeys
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karaoglou
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taper
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberfroid
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002118:Calcium; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004247:DNA; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium