Clinical Usefulness of LDH In Various Tumors – An Update

LDH, one of the earliest marker still being used along with troponins in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is now emerging as an important marker in a wide range of cancers. Recently LDH and its isoenzymes have been extensively studied in the detection and its prognostic role in common tumors such as colorectal, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver and various other metastases. LDH levels have been correlated with CEA, CA 15.3, CA 125,CA19.9 and Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Further, isoenzymes of LDH are being studied extensively and each isoenzyme was found to be specific for a particular cancer. LDH has been linked to intracellular enzymes through damaged cells in apotoposis and deregulation. Studies suggest that inhibiting LDH activity may lead to possible anticancer treatment. The objective of this review article is to present the outcome of various research findings during the last two decades and to make awareness among research scholars to undertake further research to establish the exact clinical role of LDH in each type of cancer.