[Diagnostic value of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) in abdominal cancers]

Activity changes of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) were observed in connection with various diseases. The increase of serum activity in case of liver diseases and the decrease of activity in tissue and serum in case of malignant diseases are known. This investigation examined serum activity of DP IV at 168 patients with malignant diseases of the gastro-intestinal system. The 5%-, 50%- and 95%-percentiles of serum activity of DP IV were determined. Age and sex did not influence the activity of DP IV as less as attendant diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Malignant diseases of the gastro-intestinal system without liver metastases do have a significantly lower serum activity of DP IV. Malignant diseases of the pancreas and the bile duct and liver metastases lead to an increase of DP IV-serum activity.