Formation of Ketopentoses, Beginning With Ribose-5-Phosphate, in the Serum of Patients With Cancer

Abstract

We have studied the formation of ketopentoses, starting with ribose-5-phosphate, in the serum of 98 normal individuals, 15 patients with nonmalignant diseases, and 104 patients with malignant neoplasias in the different stages of evolution. The results indicated that the activity of the enzymes which intervene in the reaction tends to be greater in the serum of patients with malignant neoplasias, a tendency which becomes even greater in patients with advanced metastatic cancer. Serum of the group with acute leukemia showed evident difference from that of the control group, and gave higher maximum normal values. These results are discussed from the point of view of diagnosis and evolution of the malignant neoplasias.