Elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta, a marker of active neurohypophyseal germinoma, detected by immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay

Pituitary. 2004;7(3):165-169. doi: 10.1007/s11102-005-0441-9.

Abstract

We report the usefulness of a highly sensitive immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay (ICT-EIA) to detect human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)-beta and thereby the onset of neurohypophyseal germinoma in its active phase. A 14-year-old girl exhibiting arrested puberty was diagnosed with neurohypophyseal germinoma following observation for two years. This patient initially showed no signs of diabetes insipidus (DI). While ICT-EIA indicated concentrations of HCG-beta higher than normal in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, the results obtained with conventional methods were negative. ICT-EIA was also useful to assess the efficacy of treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / analysis*
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Female
  • Germinoma / blood
  • Germinoma / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Germinoma / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pituitary Gland, Posterior* / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / blood
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human