title: Measurement of fecal pyruvate kinase type M2 (tumor M2-PK) concentrations in patients with gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, colorectal adenomas and controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The determination of Tumor M2 Pyruvate Kinase (Tumor M2-PK) in EDTA plasma has been described as a tumor marker in a variety of different tumor types. Since most GI tumors grow intraluminally, it appeared interesting to determine whether Tumor M2-PK is detectable in the feces of tumor patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements were performed with a commercially available ELISA (ScheBo Biotech AG, Giessen, Germany) modified for fecal analysis. Samples of controls, GI cancer and adenoma patients were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fecal Tumor M2-PK concentrations could be quantified. A significant difference between cancer patients and controls was found. The highest concentrations were observed in colorectal cancer. However, fecal Tumor M2-PK was not detectable in 5 tumor patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The measurement of fecal Tumor M2-PK concentrations might provide an interesting screening tool for colorectal cancer. Further studies comparing the determination of Tumor M2-PK in stool to occult blood in stool are in progress.
authors.affiliation: Third Medical Department, Giessen University Hospital, Rodthohl 6, D-35385 Giessen, Germany. philip.d.hardt@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hardt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toepler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ngoumou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Kloer
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase / Q000032:analysis*; D012016:Reference Values; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase