Differences of alkaline phosphatase and arginase activities in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines.

Remarkable differences in the levels of alkaline phosphatase and arginase were found in colorectal cell lines tested. In HT-29 cells, which are extremely sensitive to the induction of cell differentiation, very low levels of arginase were detected. On the other hand, high levels of arginase were present in cell lines derived from highly malignant tumours. Both findings support a prognostic significance of arginase activity in colorectal carcinomas.