Value of the serum alpha-L-fucosidase activity in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the value of the serum levels of alpha-L-fucosidase activity in the diagnosis of patients with colorectal cancer.


METHODS
Using a fluorometric method we analyzed the alpha-L-fucosidase activity in preoperative sera from 137 colorectal cancer patients and in sera from 232 donors.


RESULTS
The enzymatic activity of alpha-L-fucosidase was significantly lower (p <0.001) in patients (4.8+/-3.09 U/ml) than in donors (10.5+/-5.46 U/ml). Using the ROC curve, the ideal cut-off for the diagnostic value of alpha-L-fucosidase activity was determined to be 5.6 U/ml. The diagnostic efficiency for colorectal cancer of alpha-L-fucosidase activity was higher than that observed for carcinoembryonic antigen (cut-off 5.0 ng/ml), especially for tumors at an early stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that preoperative serum alpha-L-fucosidase activity may be used as a cheap and easy complementary test, in addition to standard clinical procedures routinely used for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
Ayude
D
D
Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, University of Vigo, Spain.
Fernández-Rodríguez
J
J
Rodríguez-Berrocal
F J
FJ
Martínez-Zorzano
V S
VS
de Carlos
A
A
Gil
E
E
Páez de La Cadena
M
M
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D005644:alpha-L-Fucosidase / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D005644:alpha-L-Fucosidase