Cyclic nucleotides in biological fluids in hepatocellular carcinoma.

To investigate the prediction that urinary cGMP (UcGMP) and cAMP (UcAMP) excretion is altered in a manner consistent with unregulated cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we studied 31 patients with this disease, 25 without apparent disease, 16 with various hepatic diseases, and 16 with nonhepatic neoplasms. Results were expressed as UcGMP excretion per 100 ml glomerular filtration because reduced creatinine excretion in patients with muscle wasting or renal dysfunction may spuriously elevate UcGMP. UcGMP excretion was elevated in 80% of patients with HCC, 75% of patients with hepatic disease and 68% of patients with other neoplasms. Mean values for UcAMP excretion did not differ significantly from normal values. Plasma and ascitic fluid cGMP concentrations in HCC and hepatic diseases were raised. These results support the hypothesis of a shift in cyclic nucleotide metabolism toward cGMP in malignant diseases. However, UcGMP measurement does not detect progression of cirrhosis to HCC.