Enzymes in colon cancer. General information

Serum enzymes have not proved useful in evaluation of patients with early colon cancer, but certain enzymes such as transpeptidase, phosphohexone isosomerase, or 5'-nucleotidase have been of assistance in following the course of the disease, particularly in patients with metastatic spread to the liver. Attempts have been made to improve the utility of enzyme analysis in colon cancer by examination of enzyme patterns in colon biopsy specimens, feces, and colon washings. These studies, which will be summarized, are of importance in the possible development of diagnostic tools and as probes in the understanding of the etiology of colon cancer. The technical problems in carrying out these assays in humans, as well as the significance of the activity of aryl sulfatase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-glucosidase, lactic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-p-osphate dehydrogenase, and other enzymes will be considered.