DUODENAL 7-ETHOXYCOUMARIN-O-DEETHYLASE ACTIVITY IN COLON-CANCER PATIENTS

The biotransformation activity of the mono-oxygenase enzyme, 7-ethoxyc oumarin-O-deethylase (EOD), was investigated in the upper digestive tr act of colon cancer patients, and compared with patients with and with out neoplasia. The three groups studied comprised 23 control, 17 metas tasized colon cancer and 16 metastasized breast cancer patients. EOD a ctivity was determined by spectrofluorometry in duodenal biopsies obta ined during gastroduodenoscopy. No correlation between the presence of colon or breast cancer and the level of EOD activity was observed. It was concluded that biotransformation enzymes can be easily determined in duodenal biopsies derived during. gastroduodenoscopy. The role of EOD in the biogenesis of colon cancer seems to be limited.