This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tsou, K. C. Articles by McCoy, M. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tsou, K. C. Articles by McCoy, M. G.

5'-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase Isoenzyme Pattern in the Serum of Human Hepatoma¹

Harrison Department of Surgical Research, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19174

The isoenzyme patterns for 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase in human sera have been studied by the use of a 5'-(5-iodoindoxyl) nucleoside phosphodiester as a histochemical substrate after electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel support. Normal sera show two major, fast-moving bands and two weak, slow-moving bands. All six sera from patients having histologically identified primary hepatoma show an additional, fast-moving isoenzyme band compared to normal serum, and a benign liver adenoma serum shows no such additional isoenzyme band. Furthermore, this last, fast-moving isoenzyme is not seen in neonatal serum.

Since these six cases of hepatoma sera are all negative with anti--fetoprotein serum by the double immunodiffusion test, the presence of this isoenzyme in these sera could be an alternate diagnostic aid.

¹ Supported by USPHS Grant CA 07339 from the NIH and American Cancer Society Grant T-545.

Received 3/ 7/73. Accepted 6/ 5/73.