[Arginase as a marker of cancerogenesis. III. Comparison of arginase activity with CEA and Ca 19-9 in liver metastases of colorectal cancer].

Preoperative activity of arginase was determined in blood serum of 86 patients with colorectal liver metastases and compared with the level of CEA and Ca 19-9. Arginase activity was elevated in 94% patients, whereas the levels of CEA and CA 19-9 were higher in 63% and 45% patients, respectively. The number of not detected by each marker cases (false negative) was much lower in arginase determination (only 6%) than in CEA (37s%), and Ca 19-9 (55%). Sensitivity and specificity of arginase test was much higher than these of CEA and Ca 19-9. The combination of CEA or Ca 19-9 with arginase determination improved the sensitivity of either test, but the combined parameters were still lower than these for arginase itself. Obtained results indicate that arginase test demonstrate higher clinical value in the early diagnosis of colorectal liver metastases than CEA and Ca 19-9.