Serum gamma glutamyl‐transferase is a sensitive but unspecific marker of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To address the role of serum g-glutamyl transferase (GGT) as a marker of metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Serum alkaline phosphatase and GGT were determined in 156 patients with localized renal cell carcinoma and 60 patients with metastases as proven by echosonography, computerized tomography and bone scan. The control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects matched for sex and age. Sensitivity and specificity of both enzymes as markers of metastatic disease were compared. In metastatic patients, enzyme activities were analyzed according to the site of metastases. Results: Both alkaline phosphatase and GGT activities were normal in majority of patients with localized renal cell carcinoma and increased in most of the patients with metastatic disease (80% and 70%, respectively). GGT did not significantly differ from alkaline phosphatase in terms of sensitivity (70% vs 80%) and specificity (89% vs 92%). Concerning the site of metastases, high frequencies of increased GGT and alkaline phosphatase were found in patients with liver-only metastases (80% and 90%, respectively). All of the patients with both liver and bone metastases exhibited increased activity of both enzymes. Despite the fact that bone cells do not express GGT, increased activity was found in patients with bone metastases-only (45%), suggesting that enzymes might be released from tumor cells. Conclusions: Our data provided evidence that GGT is a sensitive marker of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. However, findings of abnormal GGT activity cannot specify the site of involvement.

Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 as an Indicator of Liver Metastasis in Colorectal Carcinoma Cases

“…It seems reasonable that the metastasis lesions in liver may affect the metabolism and enzymic activities of liver, that is to say, the changes of the biochemical parameters were not only found in liver metastasis of CRC, but also in that of other malignancies. The phenomenon observed in this study was also in accordance with other previous papers (Obrador et al, 2002;Simic et al, 2007;Prabasheela et al, 2012).…”

“…Similar results were found in renal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma and so on (Obrador et al, 2002;Simic et al, 2007). Otherwise, the cut-off point of ROC was 35.5 U/L in this analysis, which was lower than the normal upper limit value (46 U/L) of GGT.…”

Lifestyle-related biomarkers and endometrial cancer survival: Elevated gamma-glutamyltransferase as an important risk factor

“…Also, experimental models have elucidated the ability of cellular GGT to modulate crucial redox-sensitive functions, such as antioxidant/ antitoxic defences and cellular proliferative/apoptotic balance, and its role in tumour progression, invasion, and drug resistance has been proposed [9][10][11]. Furthermore, the impact of GGT on the incidence, metastasis, and recurrence of various malignancies is increasingly becoming evident [18,28,29].…”

Gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in exosomes as a potential marker for prostate cancer

“…Furthermore, serum GGT levels were found to be higher in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with poorly differentiated tumors as compared to those with well and moderately differentiated tumors [37]. In renal cell carcinoma, serum GGT activity was reported to be increased in most of patients with metastasis, while it was normal in majority of patients with localized tumor [38]. …”