Pyruvate kinase type tumor M2 in urological malignancies.
BACKGROUND
The dimeric form of pyruvate kinase type M2 is overexpressed in tumor cells (TuM2-PK). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of TuM2-PK as a tumor marker for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) and prostate cancer (PCA) by using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of TuM2-PK in plasma.


METHODS
The TuM2-PK concentration in EDTA plasma was determined quantitatively and immunologically using an ELISA (ScheBoTech, Germany). We measured the TuM2-PK plasma levels of 83 patients with RCC, 30 patients with TCC and 30 patients with PCA before any therapy. 100 patients with various non-malignant urological disorders were recruited as the control group.


RESULTS
Only patients with RCC showed significantly elevated plasma levels of TuM2-PK compared to the control group (p < 0.01). We found a sensitivity of 42.6% and a specificity of 80.4% using a cut-off value of 15 U/ml (manufacturer's recommendation). During follow-up, only 50% showed increasing plasma levels of TuM2-PK in case of metastases. Significant differences could not be detected in either TCC or PCA.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that TuM2-PK is not a useful marker for TCC and PCA. Due to low sensitivity and specificity, TuM2-PK is not suitable for the diagnosis of RCC. Whether TuM2-PK may be useful in advanced RCC to control success of palliative treatment regimens is still unclear.
Hegele
A
A
Department of Urology, Philipps University Marburg Medical School, Marburg, Germany. hegele@post.med.uni-marburg.de
Varga
Z
Z
Kosche
B
B
Stief
T
T
Heidenreich
A
A
Hofmann
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase