Non-specific esterase in cerebral tumors. A histochemical study

Non-specific esterase has been histochemically studied in 45 cerebral tumors of neurosurgical source. Different substrates and couplers as well as several effectors have been used. The E 600-resistant enzyme activity behaves like acid phosphatase and appears to be in relation with the catabolic or regressive occurrences. This association explains its high value in anaplastic tumors. Also the E 600-sensitive enzyme activity increases with malignancy, but it appears rather in relation with the volume of the cytoplasms. The different oncotypes and cytotypes are discussed in the light of the obtained results.