Fucose levels in sera and in tumours of colorectal adenocarcinoma patients

Fucose levels were determined in normal and tumour-derived tissues from patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Total, free and bound fucose were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the tumoral tissue. Comparison of serum fucose levels between patients with colorectal cancer and control subjects indicated no statistically significant differences in total, free and bound fucose expressed as nmol/ml serum. However, when total and bound fucose were normalized to total protein (nmol/mg protein), an elevation in both parameters was found in colorectal cancer patients, although only that for total fucose was statistically significant (P < 0.001). A clear association between fucose content and clinical stage of patients according to the Dukes' classification can not be established, although patients at stage C showed higher levels of fucose both in serum and tissue. The current investigation provides direct evidence of a relationship between the elevation of fucose and the presence of tumour in colorectal cancer patients. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.