Evaluation of plasma 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and plasma 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) as tumor markers in children with neuroblastoma.
Catecholamines and their metabolites are important in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma (NB). Plasma (p-) levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) are increased in most NB, probably reflecting decreased DOPA decarboxylase activity. Urine (u-) homovanillic acid (HVA), a DOPA and dopamine (DA) metabolite. is also increased in most NB. DOPAC (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) is an important metabolite of DA in tissues with monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. Because MAO is expressed in NB tumor cells, we studied the importance of measuring p-DOPAC and p-DOPA as compared to u-HVA and u-vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) in the diagnosis and follow-up of NB. DOPAC, DOPA, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, VMA and HVA were measured by reverse-phase HPLC with electrochemical detection in 106 children (28 with NB (13 newly diagnosed), 25 with other solid tumors, 28 hospitalized for nonneoplastic diseases, and 25 healthy children). P-DOPAC or p-DOPA concentrations were above the upper normal range in 92% of untreated NB patients, as were u-HVA or u-VMA levels. None of these tumor markers was correlated to tumor stage or survival. P-DOPA but not p-DOPAC was correlated to age in NB children. Increased values of p-DOPAC and p-DOPA were found in one patient surviving NB for 10 years. Plasma DOPAC concentrations were decreased in children hospitalized for non-NB diseases, probably reflecting reduced food intake. Plasma analyses of DOPA and DOPAC seem to be useful alternatives in the diagnosis and follow-up of NB if urine sampling is to be avoided. Plasma DOPAC may be an index of nutritional status in various diseases.
Eldrup
E
E
Department of Internal Medicine E. Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. eeldrup@dadlnet.dk
Clausen
N
N
Scherling
B
B
Schmiegelow
K
K
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid / Q000652:urine
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid