Beta-glucuronidase activity in human female genital cancer.

Abstract

Summary As to tissues, the activity of the enzyme β-glucuronidase is greater in malignant cervix than in non-malignant cervix. In adenocarcinoma of the uterus, however, glucuronidase activity does not differ from that found in endometrium from women with benign uterine bleeding. Increased activity of this enzyme is present in some pregnant cervices. As to vaginal fluid, assays on the uncentrifuged suspensions showed consistently high values in the presence of untreated cervical cancer. In the presence of clinically benign conditions, false positive tests occurred in 18 per cent of the material studied. Following irradiation treatment for cervical cancer, the activity of β-glucuronidase in the tissue and in the vaginal fluid declined.