Serum alkaline deoxyribonuclease in oral cancer and premalignant lesions

Serum activities of alkaline deoxyribonuclease were assayed in 61 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, 23 with oral keratosis (a possible premalignant lesion), and 48 matched controls. The activity of alkaline deoxyribonuclease was significantly greater in patients with oral cancer than in either those with oral keratosis, or controls. The activities of deoxyribonucleases in keratosis were greater than in controls but not at a significant difference.