Sialyltransferase activity in tumor tissues.

Sialyltransferase (ST) activity was examined in tumor and control tissues. Within each group of control tissues a wide variation in the levels of ST activity was observed. Only in 20% of the tumors was the ST activity above the range of enzyme activity of the corresponding group of control tissues. Compared with its corresponding normal counterpart from the same individual, ST was elevated in tumor tissue by a factor of 2.1 on average. The distribution function indicates an increase in enzyme activity in 74% of the tumors. Other tumor markers were also determined for comparison. The ratio of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) subunits (M/H) was increased in tumors by a factor of 1.3 on average; the frequency of increase was 75%. From the distribution function of our data it follows that a decrease in the ratio of the creatine kinase (CK) subunits (B/M) occurs in 56% of tumors, the average factor being 0.8. The Regan isoenzyme of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) could be demonstrated in 13% of the tumors. In serum and in tissues ST was found to be composed of multiple forms. However, an isoenzyme of higher tumor specificity has not yet been established.