Thymidine Kinase

serum 0.5 ml (cooled)

CLIA

dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, ferret, horse, others on request

1 day

• Thymidine kinase is an enzyme which helps introduce the nucleoside thymidine into the DNA by converting deoxythymidine to deoxythymidine phosphate (dTMP). It is thus essential for DNA synthesis.
• The activity of serum thymidine kinase 1 (sTK1) correlates closely with DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. The main indications for the determination of thymidine kinase in malignant haematopoietic neoplasms are therapy monitoring and early detection of relapse.
• Its concentration is a measure for the activity of cell division. Thymidine kinase is therefore used as a tumour marker. Elevated concentrations are primarily measured in malignant diseases of the haematopoietic and lymphatic system.
• Thymidine kinase is mainly excreted renally. Therefore, if levels are increased, it is necessary to exclude impaired renal function in differential diagnosis.
• Patients with hepatic cirrhosis may also show elevated concentrations.
• Growing patients physiologically have higher concentrations.
• Thymidine kinase is also part of the profile Tumour Diagnostics (see category Profiles, Small Animals and Horse, Biochemistry Profiles).