Deoxythymidine kinase in the tumour cells and serum of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas

Abstract

SaryThe levels of deoxythymidine kinase in tumour cells (C-TK) and in serum (S-TK) were investigated and the tumour volume cakulated in 89 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), in order to ascertain the importance of C-TK and tumour burden as regards the S-TK levels. Among all patients, a correlation was seen between S-TK and tumour volume but not between S-TK and C-TK. However, within different tumour volume categories (small, medium-sized and large), there was a correlation between S-TK and C-TK. Multiple regresson analysis supported this notion. C-TK correlated with the proliferation-associated parameters, S-phase fraction and mitotic index. As already known, S-TK was found to have a strong prognostic value. C-TK and tumour burden were also of prognostic value. In multivariate analyses, C-TK and tumour volume did not provide prognostic information in addition to S-TK, whereas, in the absence of S-TK, C-TK and tumour volume did provide additional information. It is conclue that the serum level of TK depends on both the tumour burden and the tumour cell proliferation rate. Based upon estimations of S-TK in patients assessed shortly after chemotherapy, we also suggest that S-TK reflects the number of proliferating cells that have died during the period immediately before sampling.

Serum Soluble CD27, but Not Thymidine Kinase, Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Outcome in Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

“…1B) showed significant differences in median levels for low-and high-stage disease, correlation of TK with stage was only present in the group with aggressive NHL, which is confirmed by the AUC of the ROC. This is in line with the hypothesis that elevated TK levels in NHL are assumed to be derived from dividing malignant cells [5,20]. Gronowitz et al [5] have also shown differences in median serum levels of TK for stage I/II versus III/IV disease, but they did not analyze indolent and aggressive disease separately.…”

[18F]FLT–PET Imaging Does Not Always “Light Up” Proliferating Tumor Cells

“…Given that Ki67 is also expressed during other non-S phases, with the exception of G 0 , we expected that the fraction of Ki67-positive cells does not necessarily reflect the cell proliferation state of these tumor models. A distinctive feature of the TK1 staining was that in addition to the tumor cell cytoplasm, the interstitial space was positive for TK1, which might be due to the constitutive release of thymidine kinase by the dead or dying tumor cells (24,25).…”

Thymidine Kinase Type 1 and C‐Reactive Protein Concentrations in Dogs with Spontaneously Occurring Cancer

“…Furthermore, the level of TK1 activity correlates with the tumor grade and treatment. The progression of the disease increases TK1 activity and TK1 activity can decrease or return to normal with successful treatment …”