Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase effectors in neuroblastoma.

Investigation of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) serum activity as a potential diagnostic/prognostic tool for neuroblastoma did not confirm previous reports. However, age-dependent differences in normal children's DBH "activation" by water dilution +/- copper addition was revealed. These findings of age-related DBH effector differences suggest that the strong age relationship of DBH activity may be due to alterations in effectors. Additionally, these effectors may be variably affected by assay methodology, influencing DBH results obtained in neuroblastoma and other disease states.