A RAPID HPLC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF FREE FUCOSE IN URINE - AMARKER OF MALIGNANCY IN CHILDREN

The concentration of free fucose in urine has been shown to be elevate d in adults with malignancy. Current analytical methods include enzyma tic analysis and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluor escence detection. We describe a simple HPLC method using anion exchan ge chromatography with pulsed electrochemical detection for the determ ination of free fucose in urine of children with malignancy. Separatio n of sugars is achieved within 7 minutes. The method is linear to 200 mu mol/l fucose with a detection limit of 0.5 mu mol/l in urine. Mean recovery was 96.6% +/- 11.8%. Precision was good with coefficient of v ariation (CV) of 4.3% (25 mu mol/l), 3.7%(50 mu mol/l) and 4.9% (100 m u mol/l). The median fucose : creatinine ratio in healthy children was 13.6 mu mol/mmol (5.5 - 128.5). Children with malignancy had a median fucose : creatinine ratio of 8.1 mu mol/mmol (2.6 - 66.4) which was s ignificantly lower than the control subjects (p=0.038). The method ena bles rapid determination of free fucose in urine with minimal sample p reparation and without the need for derivatization. Urine free fucose was lower in children with malignancy than in their age-matched contro ls and requires further investigation.