Neuron specific enolase: a marker for differential diagnosis of neuroblastoma and Wilms' tumor.

Thirteen human neuroblastoma and six Wilms' tumor biopsies have been analyzed for neuron specific enolase (NSE). THe relative activity of NSE in the neuroblastomas (including ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma) ranged from 28% to 62.5% of total enolase activity. The corresponding figures for the Wilms' tumors were 1% to 4.5%. It appears that NSE can serve as a biochemical marker for neuroblastoma and be useful in the differential diagnosis of neuroblastoma and Wilms' tumor.