A New Enzyme Test for Gynaecological Cancer

The ease of collection of preparations of exfoliated cells from the female genital tract has facilitated the recent widespread interest in cytodiagnostic tests for cancer, particularly of the cervix uteri. If cervical cells are readily available for cytological preparations they are also accessible to biochemical study. Such a biochemical study of exfoliated malignant and premalignant cells holds promise not only of an alternative screening technique but also of fundamental discoveries in the field of the metabolism of the malignant cell, as was emphasized by Nixon (1959). Most of the work done on the biochemical changes in vaginal fluid in malignant conditions of the cervix has been confined to the increased activity of ,-glucuronidase. Following reports of increased 8-glucuronidase activity in malignant tissue, Odell and Burt (1950) confirmed these findings in vaginal fluid of patients with carcinoma of the cervix and suggested the possibility of a diagnostic test. At the same time Fish-