FREE PLASMA METANEPHRINES

Cells derived form neuroendocrine tumours (e.g. Pheochromcytoma) are known to produce Catecholamines which are secreted episodically via vesicles into the blood stream. But beside this a small portion of the Catecholamines is metabolized inside the cells to the corresponding Catecholamines metabolites – namely Metanephrine, Normetanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine – which are secreted at low levels continuously into the blood stream.
Recent studies and publications have shown that the quantification of these plasma free metanephrine (fMN) and plasma free normetanephrine (fNMN) is the most accurate biochemical marker for the clinical diagnosis of Pheochromocytoma and follow-up of pheochromocytoma patients.
LDN has developed enzyme immunoassays and isotopic assays for the quantitative determination of fMN and fNMN in human plasma without extraction.