Determinations of the α subunit of GTP-Binding Protein Go in Neuroblastoma

Abstract

The serum and tissue levels of the α subunit of GTP-Binding Protein Go (Goα) was measured to know its possibility of a tumor marker for neuroblastoma. The concentration of serum Goα was elevated in 77% of the 57 neuroblastoma patients. The concentration of tissue Goα in neuroblastomas was higher about 10 folds than those of other pediatric solid tumors. The relationship between the prognosis of neuroblastoma patients and the serum Goα level was found statistically significant. These data suggest that serum Goα is an useful marker for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma and the prediction of the patients prognosis, and that investigations of Goα in tumor tissues are useful for the differential diagnosis of the neuroblastoma.