本發明是有關於一種藉由測定α-烯醇酶(alpha-enolase,ENO1)的含量來監測癌症發展的方法,其中α-烯醇酶的含量乃為癌症惡化的一個指標。在另一個實施例中,藉由測定血清中α-烯醇酶特異性抗體的含量,其中α-烯醇酶特異性抗體的含量乃為癌症存在和惡化的一個指標。此外,本發明亦提供一種藉由誘導抗-α-烯醇酶的免疫反應來抑制腫瘤生長的方法。The invention relates to a method of monitoring cancer development by examining the abundance of alpha-enolase protein wherein the abundance is an indication of the severity of cancer. In an alternative embodiment, the abundance of alpha-enolase specific antibodies is examined, wherein the abundance of the antibodies is an indication of the presence and severity of cancer. Also provided is a method of suppressing tumor growth by inducing the alpha-enolase specific antibodies immune response.