Value of the serum alpha-L-fucosidase activity in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the value of the serum levels of alpha -L-fucosidase activity in the diagnosis of patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: Using a fluorometric method we analyzed the alpha -L-fucosidase activity in preoperative sera from 137 colorectal cancer patients and in sera from 232 donors. Results: The enzymatic activity of alpha -L-fucosidase was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in patients (4.8 +/- 3.09 U/ml) than in donors (10.5 +/- 5.46 U/ml). Using the ROC curve, the ideal cut-off for the diagnostic value of <alpha>-L-fucosidase activity was determined to be 5.6 U/ml. The diagnostic efficiency for colorectal cancer of alpha -L-fucosidase activity was higher than that observed for carcinoembryonic antigen (cut-off 5.0 ng/ml), especially for tumors at an early stage, Conclusions: Our results suggest that preoperative serum alpha -L-fucosidase activity may be used as a cheap and easy complementary test, in addition to standard clinical procedures routinely used for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.