L-ASPARAGINE SYNTHETASE IN SERUM AS A MARKER FOR NEOPLASIA

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (9) , 3238-3245
Abstract
L-Asparagine synthetase appears in serum approximately 7 days after the s.c. implantation of 1 .times. 105 cells of leukemia 5178Y/AR (resistant to L-asparaginase) and increases in activity as the neoplasm grows and metastasizes. The principal source of the enzyme is the primary tumor. After intracranial inoculation of tumor, the rate of leakage of the enzyme is more pronounced than when the s.c., i.m. or i.p. routes are used. 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (NSC 79037), a nitrosourea effective in the palliation of L5178Y/AR, temporarily halts the influx of enzyme into the blood stream, as does surgical excision of the s.c. tumor nodules. Treatment of mice with L-asparaginase within 24 h of inoculation of the tumor augments tumor growth and the rate of penetration of L-asparagine synthetase into the circulation. Several other L-asparaginase-resistant tumors also spilled L-asparagine synthetase into the serum, but the correlation between this phenomenon and the specific activity of the enzyme in homogenates of the tumor was imperfect.

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