Inconsistent expression of glycolipid sulfotransferase activity between hepatoma and serum

Glycolipid sulfotransferase activity in human and rat hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was studied, since an elevated level of the enzyme activity in serum had been demonstrated in cancer patients. The level of the enzyme activity in carcinoma tissues, however, could not be distinguished from that of normal controls. Similar observations were made for rat hepatoma. A higher level of enzyme activity was observed in the female than in the male. Inconsistent expression between hepatoma tissue and serum suggests that humoral factor(s) derived from hepatoma tissue stimulates production of the sulfotransferase, which is released into the blood-stream in the host.