Elevated Histaminase Activity in Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland

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Abstract
Elevated levels of histaminase activity were found in the serum of four patients with metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland, and high activity of this enzyme was observed in each of 10 medullary-carcinoma tissue specimens from seven patients. The elevated enzyme activity appeared to be specific to histaminase since the activity of other amine oxidases was not increased in serum or tissue. In two patients with metastatic medullary carcinoma a total inhibition of serum histaminase activity was achieved with oral doses of aminoguanidine sulfate; the long duration of drug effect suggested irreversible inhibition of the enzyme. Measurements of histaminase activity afford a possible new diagnostic approach to this type of thyroid carcinoma and may provide a means for following the course of the disease.

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