M2-PK detects a metabolic state highly specific for a variety of tumors. Its superior usefulness was demonstrated in diagnosis and monitoring of different cancer types. It’s the first reliable tumor marker for renal cell carcinoma.

Tumor-M2-PKThe majority of human tumors strongly overexpress an isoform of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase, the type M2. This isoenzyme is released from tumor cells and is quantitatively detectable in body fluids. The concentration of the type M2 isoenzyme indicates a metabolic switch turning normal cells into tumor cells. It highly correlates with the malignancy of cancer (staging) and it is independent from the histological grading.

This novel type of marker for malignancies is called M2-PK and is the only metabolic marker so far. ScheBo® Biotech AG developed a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which allows the quantitative measurement of M2-PK in EDTA plasma. The test is based on two monoclonal antibodies which specifically react with M2-PK and do not cross react with the other isoforms of pyruvate kinase (Typ L, R, M1 and M2). As M2-PK is a highly tumor specific protein and shows no organ specificity it may be the marker of choice for a variety of tumors.

M2-PK gives additional information that is generally not provided by classical tumor markers which reflect tumor burden.

First reliable marker for renal cell carcinoma:

Urological centers have shown the suitability of M2-PK as a marker for renal cell carcinoma. Since M2-PK is a highly tumor specific protein and has not shown any organ specificity, the test is also suitable for the diagnosis of non-urogenital tumors.

The following tumors are detected with the ScheBo® • M2-PK® EDTA Plasma Test:

  • Renal cell carcinoma
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Gastric cancer
  • Oesophageal carcinoma
  • Lung cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer

» The test
Further indications, specificity and sensitivity, method of detection, sample material, sample stability and shipment, short protocol

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