title: Detection of Meningeosis neoplastica by real-time quantitation of telomerase activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to discriminate between benign and malignant conditions is of fundamental importance for the physician and the patient because of the differential therapeutic options and resulting morbidity and mortality. Most human tumours demonstrate increased telomerase activity (TA). Recent technical advances in the detection of TA allow for sensitive and specific detection within 4 h. Thus, the detection of TA is suitable for routine clinical testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examines TA in cellular proteins in CSF from 111 patients compared to cytomorphological and laboratory examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive result for TA in cellular proteins of CSF was correlated significantly with Meningeosis neoplastica, but not with non-malignant conditions. Telomerase was not detected in CSF supernatant, despite positive results in cellular proteins from identical patients. Furthermore, a 48-h time delay during the pre-analytic processing is not critical for detection of TA detection in native CSF when stored at room temperature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that TA is a promising marker for the detection of Meningeosis neoplastica and warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum Homburg, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Assmann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Dunja
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Momber
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krenn
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lothschütz
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ketter
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Feiden
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfreundschuh
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Widmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019098:Telomerase