The determination of plasma or serum sialic acid

Plasma or serum sialic acid has been established as a potential tumour marker. More recently it has been shown that elevated serum sialic acid is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. A variety of assays are available to measure serum or plasma sialic acid and are discussed in this review, along with other clinical conditions in which serum or plasma sialic acid may be of relevance. Other factors influencing serum or plasma sialic acid concentrations are also discussed.