Biochemical markers of central nervous system tumors measured in cerebrospinal fluid and their potential use in diagnosis and patient management: a review.

The concept of tumor markers was reviewed, and the potential uses of markers of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and methods for their evaluation were discussed. Markers examined included lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, the polyamines, desmosterol, and several other enzymatic, nonenzymatic, and immunologic markers. Data collated from the clinical studies surveyed showed isocitrate dehydrogenase, desmosterol, and the polyamines to have the greatest potential utility in the diagnosis of CNS tumors.