Non-Specificity of Elevated Serum Ribonuclease as a Pancreatic Tumour Marker

Isaacs, Peter

doi:10.1159/000198603

Cited by 14 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

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“…During this same period of time, methods for detecting RNase activity in human serum were developed and elevations in serum RNase activity were initially perceived as useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and evaluation of pancreatic cancer [9][10][11]. Although these measurements were eventually discarded due to lack of specificity [12][13][14][15], the presence of specific RNase A ribonucleases as biomarkers of disease has met with renewed interest. Elevated levels of eosinophilderived neurotoxin (EDN/RNase 3) are detected in sera of patients with Graves' disease [16] and in urine of patients with ovarian cancer [17].…”

Section: Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

The RNase a superfamily: Generation of diversity and innate host defense

2006

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The Ribonuclease A superfamily includes an extensive network of distinct and divergent gene lineages. Although all ribonucleases of this superfamily share invariant structural and catalytic elements and some degree of enzymatic activity, the primary sequences have diverged significantly, ostensibly to promote novel function. We will review the literature on the evolution and biology of the RNase A ribonuclease lineages that have been characterized specifically as involved in host defense including: (1) RNases 2 and RNases 3, also known as the eosinophil ribonucleases, which are rapidly-evolving cationic proteins released from eosinophilic leukocytes, (2) RNase 7, an anti-pathogen ribonuclease identified in human skin, and (3) RNase 5, also known as angiogenin, another rapidly-evolving ribonuclease known to promote blood vessel growth with recently-discovered antibacterial activity. Interestingly, some of the characterized anti-pathogen activities do not depend on ribonuclease activity per se. We discuss the ways in which the anti-pathogen activities characterized in vitro might translate into experimental confirmation in vivo. We will also consider the possibility that other ribonucleases, such as the dimeric bovine seminal ribonuclease and the frog oocyte ribonucleases, may have host defense functions and therapeutic value that remain to be explored. (190 words).

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Section: Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

The RNase a superfamily: Generation of diversity and innate host defense

2006

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Influence of nutritional status on circulatory ribonuclease C levels in patients with cancer

Chlebowski

Abramson

Bateman

et al. 1985

Cancer

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The influence of a variety of clinical and biochemical parameters on the activities in serum of ribonuclease (RNAse) selective for polycytidylic acid (RNAse C) were examined in 90 adult patients with cancer. The clinical data base determined on each patient included: RNAse C level, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, age, sex, race, presence (or absence of metastases, type of cancer, site of metastasis, renal function blood urea nitrogen [BUN], creatinine), hepatic function (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase), and nutritional status (percent ideal body weight, percent weight loss, and albumin). Common tumor types studied included: colon (21), lung (18), breast (15), and hepatocellular carcinoma (10). For comparison, 175 nonmalignant control patients were studied to establish the normal range for RNAse. In patients with cancer, RNAse levels were increased in 57% and CEA levels were above 10 ng/dl in 36%. Although patients with BUN > 25 mg/dl or creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl were not entered on the study, nonetheless, RNAse was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with both BUN and creatinine. Nutritional status also had an important influence on RNAse levels as both percent weight loss and percent ideal body weight were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with circulatory RNAse: weight loss resulted in higher RNAse levels. These results account in part for the increased RNAse levels seen in those malignant conditions such as pancreatic and lung cancer commonly associated with weight loss in advanced stage. The possibility that circulatory RNAse C determination will provide a sensitive means for assessing nutritional status in cancer patients will require prospective evaluation.

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Enzymes, isozymes, and enzyme variants in the diagnosis of cancer. A short review

Stefanini

1985

Cancer

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Changes of enzyme activity in tissues, body fluids, and serum as well as changes of isozymes and enzyme variants in patients with malignancy suggest that these parameters may be used in the diagnosis of some types of cancer. A review of available information indicates that: (1) changes of serum enzymes in patients with malignancies relate to the presence of a heavy tumor burden or of metastases, and cannot be utilized for the early diagnosis of malignancies; (2) changes in isozyme patterns and newly developed enzyme variants may be of greater diagnostic value, although possibly not in the early diagnosis of cancer; (3) study of enzymatic activity in body fluids may offer valuable help in specific situations; and (4) occasionally, determination of enzymes may be of help in establishing susceptibility to malignancies.

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Non-Specificity of Elevated Serum Ribonuclease as a Pancreatic Tumour Marker

Cited by 14 publications

References 15 publications

The RNase a superfamily: Generation of diversity and innate host defense

The RNase a superfamily: Generation of diversity and innate host defense

Influence of nutritional status on circulatory ribonuclease C levels in patients with cancer

Enzymes, isozymes, and enzyme variants in the diagnosis of cancer. A short review

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