ENZYME PATTERNS IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 98  (2) , 395-+
Abstract
Characteristic enzyme alterations were demonstrated during the stages of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. The activity of .gamma.-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTPase) in hyperplastic and neoplastic hepatocytes is usually increased, whereas that of canalicular ATPase and of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) is more variable. The activities of these marker enzymes were studied by histochemical techniques in 10 human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), 1 liver cell adenoma and 1 cholangiocarcinoma of liver. In 9 cases the nontumorous liver was also examined. All HCC, but not the liver cell adenoma, displayed enzyme patterns that differed from normal. GGTPase activity was markedly increased in 8 HCC, whereas the activities of G6Pase and ATPase were lost in 6 and 8 HCC, respectively. These enzyme alterations occurred as 5 of 7 possible combinations, resulting in significant heterogeneity of enzyme phenotypes, similar to that in experimental hepatocarcinogenesis.