Determinación radioinmunométrica de la enolasa neuronal específica en humor acuoso y suero, en pacientes con retinoblastoma

Abstract

Retinoblastomas (RB) are the most common malignant intraocular tumors in childhood. The neuron specific enolase (NSE) is used as a tumor marker in different malignant diseases (mainly in neuroblastomas and lung carcinoma of small cells). In this work we report our experience using NSE and the role we consider that it plays in the determination of this enzyme in RB cases.NSE determinations in aqueous humor (AH) and serum were carried out in 17 RB by means of a radioimmunometric assay and were compared with those values obtained in a control group composed of 8 subjects in whom the RB diagnosis as well as other diseases that could alter its determination had been ruled out. The possible correlation between NSE levels and different tumor stages (Reese-Elsworth and histological-clinical), as well as the tumor type (exophytic and mixed) were also studied.NSE levels were increased in AH and serum in 88% of RB patients and were normal in all the subjects in the control group (when a sample which was considered to be non-valid due to the presence of red cells in AH was excluded). No correlation between NSE levels in AH and serum and the different tumor stages was found. Nevertheless, the RB group of mixed tumor type showed a significantly higher mean in AH (p<0.01) than the RB exophytic group.NSE determination in AH is of value in the differential diagnosis in patients in whom RB is suspected but difficult to diagnose as well as in the diagnosis of relapses. Serum determinations are mainly useful in the follow-up and in the early diagnosis of possible metastases.