Serum hexosaminidase as a possible biomarker for human cancer

The levels of total serum hexosaminidase and of its heat stable isozyme (beta-hexosaminidase) were determined in the sera of subjects bearing ovarian and other female genital cancers and of control subjects. The assays were carried out on a double blind basis. Total hexosaminidase levels were significantly elevated in sera of subjects with female genital cancers and in subjects with ovarian cancer. Levels of beta-hexosaminidase were elevated in all subjects with genital cancer. The hexosaminidase assay may be a convenient biomarker for human cancer since earlier studies have shown that total and beta-hexosaminidase levels are elevated in sera of most cancer patients studied.