[Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as a marker of genetic predisposition to neoplasms].

In the light of reports in the literature the data are presented on the importance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in cell metabolism. The effect of decreased enzyme activity or its complete absence on the functions of the cell, and the clinical conditions associated with deficient enzyme activity are described. The influence is discussed of the genetic determination of the enzyme on the occurrence of phenotypic effects, and the use of the mosaicism phenomenon in the study on the pathogenesis of certain disturbances. Several reports from the literature are quoted concerning the study of the reverse relationship between a deficiency of the activity of the enzyme and the incidence of carcinoma. The necessity is stressed of including electrophoretic techniques into the studies.