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Neuron-specific enolase in the blood.
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Reference values (norm) of neuron-specific enolase (HSE) in blood serum are up to 13.2 ng/ml.
Neuron-specific enolase is a cytoplasmic glycolytic enzyme present in cells of neuroectodermal origin, neurons of the brain and peripheral nervous system. Increased concentration of neuron-specific enolase in the blood serum occurs in small cell lung cancer and neuroblastomas, leukemia, after radiation and X-ray therapy, after X-ray examination. Concentration of neuron-specific enolase up to 20 ng/ml and more is possible in benign lung diseases, therefore, for clinical diagnostics of malignant diseases, it is preferable to choose a cutoff point of more than 25 ng/ml. Neuron-specific enolase is present in erythrocytes, so hemolysis overestimates the results of the study.
The HSE test is indicated for diagnosis and monitoring of therapy effectiveness in small cell lung cancer. The concentration of NSE in the blood exceeds 25 ng/ml in 60% of patients, 70 ng/ml - in 40% of patients with small cell lung cancer. The combined determination of neuron-specific enolase and CYFRA-21-1 increases the sensitivity of lung carcinoma diagnostics to 62%, while with a combination of neuron-specific enolase and CEA, the sensitivity is 57%.
Neuron-specific enolase is a valuable indicator in neuroblastoma. At a cutoff point of 25 ng/ml, the sensitivity for this tumor is 85%.
Determination of the concentration of neuron-specific enolase in blood serum is necessary for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma.
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