Serial studies of serum dopamine‐B‐hydroxylase and urinary vanillylmandelic and homovanillic acids in neuroblastoma

Brewster, Marge A.; Berry, D. H.

doi:10.1002/mpo.2950060202

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…S pmo1/24 hr; 3-MT 0.4-1.35 pmo1/24 hr). The reference values for urinary HVA and VMA established previously in our laboratory are correlated with those in the literature [2,16,17]: VMA = 5-14 pmo1/24 hr; HVA = 11-38 pmo1/24 hr. Table I1 presents the results for the 18 children with neuroblastoma and lists the corresponding tumor sites and stages.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methylated catecholamine metabolites for diagnosis of neuroblastoma

Candito

Thyss

Albertini³

et al. 1992

Med. Pediatr. Oncol.

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Assays of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites (HVA, VMA, dopamine) permit biochemical diagnosis of neuroblastoma in approximately 80% of patients. The urinary methylated catecholamine metabolites normetanephrine (NMN), metanephrine (MN), and 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) were analyzed in 18 patients with neuroblastoma and compared with reference values established for 69 healthy pediatric controls. All 18 neuroblastoma patients had raised urinary excretion of at least one of the three commonly assayed metabolites (HVA, VMA, dopamine). Similarly, raised urinary excretion of a methylated metabolite was noted in all but one of the neuroblastoma patients. The 3-MT level was pathologic in 16 of the 18 patients (89%). In this series, 3-MT assay sensitivity was sufficient to warrant trials on a larger population including comparison with patients considered nonsecretors by routine assay procedures.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methylated catecholamine metabolites for diagnosis of neuroblastoma

Candito

Thyss

Albertini³

et al. 1992

Med. Pediatr. Oncol.

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“…It is specific, relatively quick and requires only small volumes of serum, making it suitable for routine use in the hospital laboratory (Weinshilboum, 1978). Elevated serum DBH levels have been reported in children with neuroblastoma Rockson et al, 1976), but a recent study has challenged these observations (Brewster & Berry, 1979).We have studied serum DBH levels of neuroblastoma patients and age-matched controls and have analysed the results in relation to age, clinical status, and urinary catecholamine output. …”

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confidence: 99%

Serum dopamine β hydroxylase in children with neuroblastoma

Eldeeb¹,

Burns²,

Robinson³

et al. 1983

Br J Cancer

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Summary Serum dopamine-fl-hydroxylase (DBH) activity has been reported to be raised in some patients with neuoblastoma but this has been challenged. We have studied serum DBH levels on 26 children with neuroblastoma and 58 age-matched controls. Only in 2 patients were the levels higher than in the controls, and then only transiently. In both, the rise in DBH levels could be accounted for by the transfusion of adult blood. Serum DBH levels in children with neuroblastoma were unrelated to the response of this neoplasm to treatment or to urinary catecholamine output and thus are unlikely to have any value in diagnosis or as a marker of tumour activity.The main pathways by which catecholamines are synthesized and metabolised are shown in Figure 1. The enzyme DBH catalyses the last step in the biosynthesis of noradrenaline and is found in chromaffin tissue and in the synaptic vesicles of sympathetic tissue. In vitro studies demonstrated the coupled proportional release of noradrenaline and DBH from sympathetic nerves by a process of exocytosis . The main source of serum DBH in the rat is the adrenergic neuron whence it is discharged during sympathetic activity Weinshilboum, 1978). There is very little information available on the source, half-life, and fate of human serum DBH (Weinshilboum, 1978).Neuroblastomas are composed of primitive cells derived from the neural crest. They form and discharge noradrenaline and its precursors DOPA and dopamine. These substances are metabolised both within the tumour and elsewhere, and the metabolites, together with some free catecholamines are excreted in excess in the urine. Tumours producing predominantly noradrenaline and its metabolites have a more favourable prognosis (Gitlow et al., 1973;Laug et al., 1978). However, the measurement of these metabolites in urine is timeconsuming and the common methods lack specifity. Since in vitro noradrenaline production is associated with DBH release, elevated serum DBH levels may be expected to occur in children with neuroblastoma, and, if present, carry diagnostic and prognostic value. The spectrophotometric assay of serum DBH utilizes optimum conditions for measurement of enzyme activity. It is specific, relatively quick and requires only small volumes of serum, making it suitable for routine use in the hospital laboratory (Weinshilboum, 1978). Elevated serum DBH levels have been reported in children with neuroblastoma Rockson et al., 1976), but a recent study has challenged these observations (Brewster & Berry, 1979).We have studied serum DBH levels of neuroblastoma patients and age-matched controls and have analysed the results in relation to age, clinical status, and urinary catecholamine output. Patients and methods PatientsFourteen boys and 12 girls with neuroblastoma, aged from one month to 8 years were studied. Serum DBH and urinary catecholamine excretion were measured, in some patients serially. Clinical staging was performed using the method of Evans et al. (1971) and the clinical status of each patient was recorded.The contro...

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“…Cystathionine, a compound not found in the urine of normal individuals, is elevated in 50430% of children with neuroblastoma, but it also may be found in association with other childhood cancers [ 121. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and dopabetahydroxylase levels have failed to have the prognostic and diagnostic sensitivity as the other previously mentioned compounds [ 13,141. The initial level of serum ferritin, which is produced by neuroblastoma cells, is thought to have prognostic significance [ 151.…”

Section: The Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Present concepts in the treatment of neuroblastoma

Karp

Bruce

Cooney

et al. 1986

Seminars in Surgical Oncology

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The outlook for the child with neuroblastoma remains dismal. The tumor has been known to undergo spontaneous resolution, and this phenomenon has led to increased interest and research in possible immune mechanisms that may be involved. Treatment often involves the use of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, frequently producing a short-term response, but a cure of the disease in an advanced stage can rarely be attributed to any of these treatment modalities. The present staging and treatment method used by the authors is that of the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) #8104. As far as the immunological therapeutic approach is concerned, promising results have been obtained in animal studies with monoclonal antibodies and immunocellular components. Cumulative data from various pediatric centers have showed that the patient's age strongly influences the prognosis in all stages of the disease.

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Serial studies of serum dopamine‐B‐hydroxylase and urinary vanillylmandelic and homovanillic acids in neuroblastoma

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

Methylated catecholamine metabolites for diagnosis of neuroblastoma

Methylated catecholamine metabolites for diagnosis of neuroblastoma

Serum dopamine β hydroxylase in children with neuroblastoma

Present concepts in the treatment of neuroblastoma

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