Open AccessThe Alleged Usefulness of 6‐Phosphogluc0Nate Dehydrogenase Determinations in Screening for Uterine Cancer
Author(s) -
Sanner T.,
Bentzen H.,
Kolstad P.,
Nordbye K.,
Pihl A.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016347009157271
Subject(s) - medicine , uterine cancer , enzyme , dehydrogenase , cancer , enzyme assay , lactate dehydrogenase , gynecology , biochemistry , chemistry
Determination of the enzyme 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in vaginal fluid has previously been suggested as a screening test for uterine cancer. In an attempt to resolve the large discrepancies in the results reported in the literature, some of the factors influencing the stability of the enzyme have been studied. It is demonstrated that the conditions under which the vaginal fluid is handled prior to the assay influence the enzyme activity to a very large extent. Under conditions minimizing denaturation of the enzyme, a considerable activity is found in most women. Evidence is presented that in vaginal fluid from women with uterine cancer the enzyme is more stable than in samples from healthy women. The large variations in the results with the conditions under which the samples are handled render measurement of 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in vaginal fluid an unsuitable method for mass screening of uterine cancer.