title: The role of thymidine kinase in cancer diseases.
abstract: Thymidine kinase 1 (TK 1-fetal) is a cell cycle-dependent marker that increases dramatically during the S-phase of the cell cycle. In this review, the authors discuss serum levels of thymidine kinase in a variety of neoplasias. Determination of thymidine kinase helps to monitor the follow-up of solid tumours and haematological malignancies as well as indicating the efficacy of adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy. Elevated levels of thymidine kinase must always be interpreted together with a detailed knowledge of the patient's condition because nonspecific elevations of serum levels (inflammatory and autoimmune diseases) must be excluded.
authors.affiliation: Charles University Prague, Medical Faculty in Pilsen, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty Hospital Pilsen, 13 Edwarda Benese, 305 99 Pilsen, Czech Republic +420 377402948 ; +420 377402454 ; topolcan@seznam.cz.
authors.forename: Ondrej
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Topolcan
authors.forename: Lubos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holubec