Potential utility of serum neuron specific enolase as a tumor marker

In this study the clinical relevance of this marker has been assessed in healthy volunteers and in various clinical conditions: neuroendocrine tumors, cancers of different origins and benign diseases. Serum NSE was measured by a doubly-antibody radioimmunoassay (Pharmacia Kit). The results confirm a high sensitivity but a low specificity of this marker in neuroendocrine tumors (including small cell lung cancers). (orig./MG)