Biomedical subjects

N Sapoutzis

Publications and source records attributed to N Sapoutzis.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Value of tumor M2 (Tu M2-PK) in patients with renal carcinoma.

Pyruvate kinase is one of the glycolytic key enzymes. It exists in various isoforms which are expressed in different cell types. One of these isoforms, the type Tu M2-PK, is strongly overexpressed by tumor cells and released into body fluids. The concentration of Tu M2-PK in body fluids can be quantitatively determined by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-kit. The Tu M2-PK concentration was measured in EDTA-plasma of 116 patients with renal carcinoma and 42 patients suffering from nephritis, by using this kit. The ranges of the Tu M2-PK-concentrations of the two groups did not overlap, indicating a highly significant discrimination of renal carcinoma and benign renal diseases. Furthermore, the Tu M2-PK concentration in EDTA-plasma correlated strongly with the Robson tumor stage of the 116 patients. The present results indicated that the Tu M2-PK might be the first tumor marker, which could be an excellent complementation of the diagnostic program for renal carcinoma.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Phospholipids, tumour marker and beta-CrossLaps in diagnosis of gastric carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the serum tumor marker levels of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 72-4 and beta-CrossLaps in gastric cancer patients. As an additional parameter, we investigated the membrane phospholipid profile of gastric cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the tumor marker and phospholipid concentrations in 40 patients suffering from gastric cancer, 12 patients suffering from pancreatitis and 40 patients with gastric ulcera. We used the Elecsys 2010 enzyme analyser to determine the concentrations of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 72-4 and beta-CrossLaps. Phospholipid fractions were determined by HPLC. RESULTS: Preoperative serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 showed sensitivities of 47.5%, 68% and 76%, respectively. The sensitivity of beta-CrossLap was 63% for non-metastatic and 76% for metastatic gastric cancer. The phospholipid fraction of phosphatidyl ethanolamine showed elevated concentrations. CONCLUSION: Additional prognostic information can be obtained using the combined assay of these tumor markers in gastric cancer patients.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (Pro-GRP), a tumor marker for small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrin-releasing peptide (Pro-GRP), a member of the bombesin family of peptides, has been shown to have mitogenic activity in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and to be produced by SCLC in an autocrine fashion. We investigated the usefulness of serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (Pro-GRP) as a tumor marker for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised 80 healthy individuals. Serum samples were also obtained from 80 patients with small cell carcinoma, 20 with chronic bronchitis, 30 with sarcoidosis and 20 with lung fibrosis. The cut-off level of serum Pro-GRP was set at 34.2 pg/ml. RESULTS: The levels of Pro-GRP in the patients with benign diseases were significantly higher than those in the healthy group. The serum Pro-GRP levels were elevated in SCLC patients. The elevation was significantly higher than that of the benign reference group. CONCLUSION: These results show that Pro-GRP may be a potential tumor marker for small cell lung carcinoma.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Complexed PSA in routine diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Prostatic tumor tissue produces a more complex form of PSA (cPSA) than free PSA (fPSA). For the early detection of prostate cancer, cPSA is supposed to be more sensitive than the ratio of fPSA and tPSA. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of cPSA in the early detection of malignant prostatic tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the new cPSA test comparing it with the already routinely used fPSA and tPSA test. The study comprised a total of 100 patients with different urological symptoms attending the Division of Urology, University of Frankfurt, Germany. Biopsy and histological examination were performed in all cases. The histological report was compared with the laboratory results obtained by immunological and electrochemiluminescence methods. RESULTS: Forty-one had a benign tumor of the prostatic gland and 59 had a malignant process diagnosed by histological examination. The cut-off level for cPSA was at 2.3 ng/ml. Within a range of 2.0-4.0 ng/ml tPSA and a cut-off of 2.3 ng/ml for cPSA we found a tumor sensitivity of the test in 92%, proved by the histological report. cPSA allows the detection of a malignant process at an earlier stage than tPSA and even within a "normal-range" of tPSA between 2.0-4.0 ng/ml. A concentration of tPSA between 4.1 and 10 ng/ml represents a grey zone. With measurement of cPSA we achieved, in 71% of our cases, a more specific result than in obtaining the PSA ratio. We did not observe any adverse result in the concentration of cPSA concerning manipulation of the prostatic gland as seen before in the measurement of fPSA. cPSA is much more stable regarding transportation and storage. There is no loss of concentration level observed up to -20 degrees C, whereas fPSA shows a loss of 10%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the new tumor marker cPSA is more specific in the concentration range of tPSA from 2.0-4.0 ng/ml, as well as in the grey zone between 4.0-10 ng/ml.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic value of bone and tumour markers in patients with malignant diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Biochemical bone markers, such as the bone isoenzyme form of alkaline phosphatase, have been used to assess the bone formation phase of bone turnover in health and disease. Skeletal metastases often occur in patients with malignancies. Recent developments suggest that bone markers could be valuable clinical tools for the management of patients with metastatic bone disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum levels of BAP, along with serum levels of beta-CrossLap, were measured in a large group (n = 200) of patients with newly-diagnosed or progressive cancer of the prostate, breast, colon, liver and pancreas. Tumour markers such as PSA, CEA, CA 19-9, AFP, CA 15-3 and bone marker levels were correlated with the presence or absence of bone scan-documented metastases. RESULTS: Both of the bone markers examined were elevated in a high proportion of patients with confirmed metastases to bone. All patients with prostate, breast and colon carcinoma showed elevated beta-CrossLap values. The determined values of beta-CrossLap and BAP were significantly correlated with the number of skeletal metastases. CONCLUSION: Markers of biochemical bone remodeling can be used in assessing and managing patients with malignancies that metastasize to bone. These markers are abnormally raised in the blood of patients with metastatic bone disease.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-analytical problems in the measurement of tumor type pyruvate kinase (tumor M2-PK).

INTRODUCTION: Tumor M2-PK is an isoform of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase. This isoform exists in an active tetrameric and less active dimeric form. The dimeric form is expressed by various tumor cells and can be measured in blood by a specific ELISA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 500 healthy persons, 20 patients with an acute rheumatic disease (high CRP) and 30 patients with a nephropathy and proteinuria with more than 20 mg/dl. We measured Tumor M2-PK in each of these groups in different specimens of EDTA-plasma, serum, heparin-, citrate-, fluoride- and oxalate-plasma. RESULTS: We found different concentrations of Tumor M2-PK in healthy persons depending on the kind of specimen. The normal range of Tumor M2-PK concentration was higher in the serum than in the plasma, with 35 U/l compared to 15 U/l. In haemolytic material we found concentrations up to 80 U/l in healthy persons. Lipaemic or icteric serum material showed a higher concentration of Tumor M2-PK as well. In patients with a triglyceride concentration higher than 300 mg/dl, the normal range for Tumor M2-PK was measured between 30-50 U/l. Similar results were found in patients with icteric serum. Patients with an active rheumatic disease and elevated CRP concentration showed a Tumor M2-PK concentration between 40-60 U/l. Patients with a nephropathy and proteinuria over 20 mg/dl had an elevated Tumor M2-PK concentration from 25-60 U/l. CONCLUSION: We conclude that different materials seem to be suitable for the measurement of Tumor M2-PK concentration as long as attention is paid to different normal ranges. Haemolytic material should not be used as it offers false-positive results. Some diseases such as rheumatic disease, hyperlipidaemia and nephropathy have an influence on Tumor M2-PK concentration that should not be neglected.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pyruvate kinase type tumor M2 plasma levels in patients afflicted with rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Since tumor markers can be increased in the course of many benign diseases, the aim of this study was to verify if this also occurs in the course of rheumatic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the incidence and characteristics of Tumor M2-PK in the EDTA-plasma of 137 patients suffering from rheumatic diseases. RESULTS: The tumor M2-PK concentration was increased in 52 out of 63 patients (82%) with classical rheumatoid arthritis, in 15 out of 21 patients (71%) with systemic lupus erythematosus, in 14 out of 17 patients (82%) with seronegative spondylarthritis and in 13 out of 28 patients with miscellaneous rheumatic diseases (46%). Malignant neoplasm was not detected in any of the patients with rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the EDTA-plasma concentrations of Tumor M2-PK were increased in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tumor M2-PK levels in haematological malignancies.

Circulating Tumor M2-PK serum levels were measured in 118 patients with various haematological malignancies. Using 17.5 U/ml as the cut-off level, elevated Tumor M2-PK concentrations were found in 7 out of 35 patients with acute myelocytic leukaemia, 17 out of 38 patients with chronic myelocytic leukaemia, 5 out of 18 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and in 6 out of 14 patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Only 9 out of 195 healthy control individuals had Tumor M2-PK plasma levels above 17.5 U/ml. Serial determinations of Tumor M2-PK were performed in 3 patients with haematological malignancies during chemotherapy. Disease regression was associated with alternating Tumor M2-PK plasma levels. Thus, Tumor M2-PK is not a useful indicator of haematological malignancies. Moreover, serial Tumor M2-PK measurement may be insignificant in monitoring response to chemotherapy in these patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tumor marker pyruvate kinase type tumor M2 in patients suffering from diabetic nephropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Compared to normal tissues all tumors investigated so far and especially those with a metastatic potential overexpress an isoenzyme of the pyruvate kinase, the pyruvate kinase type tumor M2 (TU M2-PK). Because of its monomeric structure, the TU M2-PK has no function at all. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) developed by ScheBooTech (Wettenberg, Germany) we measured the concentration of TU M2-PK in EDTA-plasma of 12 probands with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 91 patients suffering from non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, both with diabetic nephropathy. Moreover we focused on the way it compares to other metabolic markers such as HbA1c, glucose and proteins. RESULTS: Among the 12 patients afflicted by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 17%, and the 91 probands with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as many as 19% of the samples were raised over the cut-off of 25 U/ml EDTA-plasma. A correlation with the other investigated parameters could not be found. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the TU M2-PK in EDTA-plasma of patients with diabetic nephropathy presents 38.8% "false-positive" data and thus must be questioned as a tumor marker.

Biomarkers↗