Diagnostic Value of Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Benign and Malignant Breast Tumors

Background and AimsThe present study was carried out to evaluate the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and its isoenzymes ADA1 and ADA2 activities as a diagnostic tool in patients with benign and malignant breast disease.MethodsTotal ADA, ADA1, and ADA2 activities of serum and tumor were analyzed using 58 subjects including 20 patients with benign breast disease (BBD), 34 patients with primary breast cancer, and 20 patients as normal control subjects.ResultsThe mean values for total ADA and ADA2 activities in the serum and tumor of BBD were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (p <0.01). Furthermore, the mean values for total ADA and ADA2 activities of patients with breast cancer were significantly higher than those of the benign group (p <0.005) and healthy subjects (p <0.0001).ConclusionsBased on the present results, it is concluded that the assessment of total ADA and ADA2 activities may be used as a reliable test for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast disease.