Neuron-specific enolase as a marker for neuroblastoma and small-cell carcinoma of the lung.

The use of neuron-specific enolase (NSE, E.C. 4.2.1.11) as a clinical marker for neuroblastoma and small-cell carcinoma of lung (SCCL) is presented. Both tumors have a high content of NSE as demonstrated enzymatically or by immunocytochemistry. Other retroperitoneal tumors in children and other lung tumors had insignificant NSE concentrations. NSE can thus be used in the differential diagnosis of neuroblastoma and SCCL. 73% of patients with SCCL had elevated serum NSE levels. The corresponding figure for patients with other types of lung cancer was 3%. There was a good correlation between serum NSE levels and the clinical course of patients with SCCL.