Neuron-specific blood enolase
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The reference values (norm) of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the 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. An increase in the concentration of neuron-specific enolase in the blood serum takes place in small-cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma, leukemia, after radiation and X-ray therapy, after an X-ray examination. Concentration of neuron-specific enolase up to 20 ng / ml and more is possible with benign lung diseases, therefore a separation point of more than 25 ng / ml is preferable for the clinical diagnosis of malignant diseases. Neuron-specific enolase is present in erythrocytes, so hemolysis overestimates the results of the study.
The NSE test is indicated for the diagnosis and monitoring of the effectiveness of therapy for small cell lung cancer. The concentration in the blood of NSE 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 the diagnosis of carcinoma of the lung to 62%, while a sensitivity of 57% is achieved with a combination of neuron-specific enolase and CEA.
Neuron-specific enolase is a valuable indicator for neuroblastoma. At a separation point of 25 ng / ml, the sensitivity to this tumor is 85%.
Determination of the concentration of neuron-specific enolase in blood serum is necessary for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma.
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