Comparison of the β-Glucuronidase Activity of Normal, Tumor, and Lymph Node Tissues of Surgical Patients

Abstract

Observations on the [beta]-glucuronidase content of human tissues are given. Relatively large amts. of [beta]-glucuronidase in the involved lymph nodes of cancerous patients is reported for the first time. Although minimal differences from normal were found in benign fibroadenoma and gynecomastia of the breast, marked elevations were seen in carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, and in the proliferated lactating breast. In the uterus, the normal endometrium was high in glucuronidase. Uterine carcinoma contained more enzyme than did normal uterine tissue. Uterine fibroid had a fairly low activity. In carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, enzyme elevations occurred in the cardioesophagus, stomach, and less often in the colon. No change occurred in pancreatic tumors. Adenocarcinoma, recurrent and metastatic to the abdomen, contained fairly large amts. of enzyme. Excised lymph nodes from cancer of the breast, colon, and prostate, and from malignant melanoma contained large amts. of enzyme. It is concluded that elevations in glucuronidase are probably a characteristic of malignant cells, but a high enzyme activity in a tissue does not essentially imply malignancy.