SERUM N-ACETYL-BETA-GLUCOSAMINIDASE ACTIVITY IN BREAST-CANCER

N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) and its isoenzymes were measured i n 60 patients with breast cancer and in 30 patients suffering from ben ign breast tumors. NAG activity was significantly increased (P < 0.001 ) in cancer patients. The concentration of isoenzyme A always exceeded that of isoenzyme B, but isoenzyme B concentration was significantly (p < 0.0101) higher in patients than in controls. An intermediate form , I, was more evident but not significant in patients. Evaluation of t he predictive value of the NAG isoenzyme B, revealed a good sensitivit y, efficiency and specificity. It seems from this study that the deter mination of the isoenzyme NAG B activity may be useful for better diag nosis of breast cancer.