Enzyme pattern and marker antigens in nodular "regenerative" hyperplasia of the liver.

Characteristic alterations of marker enzymes and tumor-associated antigens have been detected in the preneoplastic lesions of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. An identical pattern of enzyme activity (increased gammaglutamyl transferase, loss of glucose-6-phosphatase, and canalicular adenosine triphosphatase) was demonstrated in a case of nodular "regenerative" hyperplasia of liver. The lack of marker antigens (alphafetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha 1-antitrypsin) in the hyperplastic nodules in this patient may be related to the discontinuation of oral contraceptive steroids four years earlier. The phenotypic changes of enzyme activity suggest that nodular "regenerative" hyperplasia of the liver in man is preneoplastic.