SERUM POLYSIALYLATED NEURAL CELL-ADHESION MOLECULE IN CHILDHOOD NEUROBLASTOMA

Neuroblastoma cells express the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), which normally becomes restricted to a few neural tissues after embryogenesis. In this study, we investigated ser um levels of polysialylated NCAM in 14 children with different grades and stages of neuroblastoma using an immunoluminescence assay, and com pared the results to 269 healthy control subjects. Simultaneously the polysialylated NCAM content of the tumours was determined by immunohis tochemistry. Serum levels were dramatically elevated (more than sixfol d) in children with advanced stages and fatal courses of disease, wher eas children with differentiated tumour types and limited disease had low or normal levels. Serum concentrations correlated with the polysia lylated NCAM content of the tumours, and they decreased during success ful therapy. We therefore suggest polysialylated NCAM to be a useful m arker monitoring childhood neuroblastoma.