[The thymidine phosphorylase to dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase ratio in pancreatic cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the contents of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) in pancreatic cancer to provide a basis for the clinical use of capecitabine in pancreatic cancer patients.


METHODS
The contents of TP and DPD in pancreatic cancer and adjacent normal tissues from 20 patients were determined by ELISA and the TP to DPD ratios in the cancer and adjacent normal tissue were compared.


RESULTS
TP content was 5- to 283-fold higher in tumor tissue (mean 74-fold) than in the adjacent normal tissue (P < 0.01). DPD in the cancer tissue increased significantly. So did the TP to DPD ratio, when compared to that in normal pancreatic tissue (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased TP to DPD ratio in pancreatic cancer suggests that capecitabine could be activated by the cancer, these capable of selectively kill the tumor cells.
Yu
Xian-jun
XJ
Pancreatic Cancer Center of Huashan Hospital, Shanghai 200040, China. yuxianjun@hotmail.com
Jiang
Yong-jian
YJ
Fu
De-liang
DL
Ni
Quan-xing
QX
D042943:Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP) / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000601:surgery; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000378:metabolism*
D042943:Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP); D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase