Thymidylate synthase levels in tumor biopsies from patients with colorectal cancer

Anticancer Res. 1994 Nov-Dec;14(6B):2677-80.

Abstract

Catalytic activity and FdUMP binding characteristics of thymidylate synthase (TS) were determined in 22 tumor biopsies of patients to be treated (15) or just treated (7) for colorectal cancer with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. In 19 samples both parameters could be determined and were found to represent a wide range (15-20 fold). High values of activity correlated with no response, but low values of binding or activity were found in responders as well as in non-responders. It is concluded that the determination of parameters related to TS function is feasible in tumor biopsies and its relevance for clinical management deserves further study.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyuridylate / metabolism
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Thymidylate Synthase / analysis
  • Thymidylate Synthase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyuridylate
  • Thymidylate Synthase
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil