Activity of thymidilate «salvage pathway» enzymes in human gastric cancer and blood serum: correlation with treatment modalities

Abstract

A comparative study of enzyme activity features of thymidilate “salvage pathway” synthesis in blood serum and tissues of different age patients with gastric cancer (T3–4N0-xM0) was carried out. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic relevance of thymidilate metabolism enzymes activities and their association with tumor growth. Methods: Enzymes activities were determined by the radioisotope method and spectrophotometrically in tumor tissues and blood serum of 74 patients. Results: It was demonstrated that thymidine phosphorylase activity in gastric tumors is lower by 2.6 times as compared to non-neoplastic mucosa of resection margin. This being accompanied by decrease of its activity in the blood serum (from 47.9 ± 2.6 to 14.65 ± 2.4 nmol/min·mg, p < 0.001). An increase of thymidine kinase activity was revealed both in tumor tissues (more than 3.5 times) and in blood serum (from 3.9 ± 0,7 nmol/mg·h, to 6.8 ± 1.0 nmol/mg·h, p < 0.01). Changes in their activity in the postoperative period depended on the type of surgical procedure and tumor eradication. Conclusion: It could be suggested that control of individual dynamics of the enzymes activities in blood serum may be used as informative tool for monitoring of patients and treatment optimization.