Evaluation of serum α-L-fucosidase as a marker for primary liver cancer

The mean activity ± standard error of α-L-fucosidase in sera of various groups (n = number of individuals) was as follows: primary liver cancer (n = 21, 178 nKat/l ± 11), secondary metastatic liver cancer (n = 30, 94 nKat/l ± 8), primary cancers of breast, lung, ovary, and uterus (n = 30, 82 nKat/l ± 7), benign diseases of lung and breast (n = 30, 78 nKat/l ± 6), benign gastrointestinal diseases (n = 30, 79 nKat/l ± 6), liver cirrhosis of non-alcoholic origin (n = 21, 134 ± nKat/l ± 9) and healthy individuals (n = 60, 78 nKat/l ± 6). The mean activity of serum α-L-fucosidase was significantly increased in primary liver cancer as compared with each group, except cirrhotics. Also, serum enzyme activity was significantly increased in cirrhotics as compared with healthy individuals. However, enzyme activity among many individuals of all groups overlapped considerably. Thus, increased α-L-fucosidase activity in serum was not a specific marker for primary liver cancer. Consequently, this marker would not be useful for diagnosis of primary liver cancer.