title: Hexosaminidase as a new potential marker for larynx cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Larynx squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common forms of cancer in the area of the neck. The aim of our study was to investigate the activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (HEX) in larynx cancer compared with the specimens from the healthy space of the tumor that served as controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Larynx cancer (n=15) and normal healthy tissue around the tumor (n=15) were collected from the patients during total laryngectomy. Specimens were immediately frozen in -80 degrees C. To assess hexosaminidase activity, release of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenol derivatives was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a significantly higher activity of the investigated enzyme in all laryngeal cancer specimens compared with that in healthy tissue homogenates. The differences were statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It could be assumed that HEX may release particular sugars from the ends of oligosaccharide chains of glycocalyx proteins, changing adhesive forces binding together cells, and the communication between cells and elements of extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Bialystok, ul. Sklodowskiej 24 A, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland. ewaolsz@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olszewska
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borzym-Kluczyk
authors.forename: Ireneusz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rzewnicki
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rutkowska
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knas
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rogowski
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Waniewska
authors.forename: Romuald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wielgosz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006596:Hexosaminidases