Carcinoembryogenic antigen and lysosomal enzymes in gastric juice as an aid in the diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Malignant transformation in cells is accompanied by enzymatic changes that may be useful markers of malignancy. Studies of oncofetal antigens in gastric juice show an increased concentration in patients with gastric carcinoma. The object of the present study was to test if the concentration of lysosomal enzymes and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were altered in patients with gastric carcinoma compared to patients earlier operated with gastric resection--a supposedly premalignant condition. The results show that no differences could be found in CEA and beta-hexosaminidase levels between the patients with gastric carcinoma and those with gastric resection. However, lysozyme content was significantly higher in gastric carcinoma and might prove useful for screening of patients after gastric resection. Both CEA, beta-hexosaminidase, and lysozyme levels were significantly higher in patients with gastric carcinoma than in a control population, and can therefore have a role in screening of asymptomatic patients.