Serum 5′–nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozyme–V test for human liver cancer

Abstract

2,131 coded sera were obtained and tested according to the new 5′-NPDase-V isozyme test. On decoding, 99/126 (79%) samples of primary hepatoma, from the United States and other countries, were positive. In the U. S. group, 51/58 (88%) were positive, 23/58 (40%) had AFP higher than 20 ng/ml. In the non-U. S. group, 48/68 (71%) were positive for 5′-NPDase-V, as compared with AFP elevation in 45/68 (66%). 236/268 (88%) cases of cancer with known liver metastases were positive for 5′-NPDase-V. Of 1,040 cancer patients without liver scan or biopsy evidence of metastasis, 316 were positive. In a follow-up of this group of 316 cases, 109 underlying liver metastases were demonstrated by repeat scan or at autopsy within 3–6 months. All 166 sera from normal healthy persons were negative for 5′-NPDase-V. Based on this large panel, 5′-NPDase-V test is a sensitive and an important diagnostic aid for cancer patients, both as an early predictor for liver metastases, and a useful marker for primary hepatoma when no other primary sites are found and when there is no evidence of severe chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis.