Further study on the value of M2-type pyruvate kinase in the diagnosis of primary hepatocarcinoma
Chen, S.H.
Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi 15(4): 268-271
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3766 PMID: 8174464 Document Number: 410571
Based on the pilot study of plasma M-2-type pyruvate kinase (M-2-PyK) in the diagnosis of primary hepatocarcinoma, some improvements in methodology were made. M-2-PyK was purified directly from human placenta, and anti-human M-2-PyK antibody was raised in rabbits. The purified antibody IgG was degraded into Fab' fragment and cross-linked with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to prepare Fab'-HRP conjugate. By using sandwich Fab'-ELISA, M-2-PyK in the plasma was determined in 119 healthy adults, all gave values less than 2.35ng/ml, with 80 percent less than 1.2ng/ml, and the medium was 0.68ng/ml. There was no significant difference between male and female subjects. The plasma M-2-PyK in 32 cases of primary hepatocarcinoma was markedly increased with a range of 1.31 apprx 30.13ng/ml or 7.06+-5.25ng/ml, which was more than 10 fold of the normal medium value. If 2.35ng/ml was taken as the upper limit of the normal range, the positive rate was up to 90.6%. Seven cases of hepatocarcinoma with AFP less than 50ng/ml, M-2-PyK was positive. The result was the same as that in our previous report. Other primary malignant tumors of the liver origin were also positive, whereas the benign tumors of the liver were negative. In 53 cases of the carcinomas in gastro-intestinal tract, whether the carcinomas were metastasized to the liver or not, a positive rate of 40.6 apprx 52.3% was shown which was higher than that in the cases of colorectal carcinoma. Hence, this method was not specific for the diagnosis of primary hepatocarcinoma. There were only individual cases with a positive rate in other groups of cancer. Followed-up is needed to verify of metastasis existing in the liver. Therefore plasma M-2-PyK is a good marker to differentiate the benign and malignant tumors of the liver, and can also be used in the diagnosis of gastro-intestinal cancers.