Neuron specific enolase: a marker of (small cell) cancers of neuronal and neuroendocrine origin.

Neuron specific enolase (NSE) has been demonstrated to be a marker for tumours of neuroendocrine origin. Serum NSE levels have been shown by several groups to be of help in the identification of advanced small cell lung cancers and neuroblastoma. The lack of sensitivity to small tumour burdens and lack of specificity of small increments above normal restricts the test as a diagnostic aid in early stage disease. The main use would seem to be in the monitoring of chemotherapy and follow up after completing treatment as sequential measurements enable relatively small changes in level to be interpreted.