Serum alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase isoenzymes activity in diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer in economically disadvantaged communities

ABSTRACT

There is need to re-examine the use of serum alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase isoenzmes activity in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer in a poor economy. Serum activities of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] heat stable alkaline phosphatase [HSAP] acid phosphatase [ACP] and prostatic acid phosphatase [PAP] were studied in 47 diagnosed prostate cancer patients and 71 apparently healthy male controls, using spectrophotometric analysis. there were statistical significant increases in the mean serum levels of the alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase isoenzymes in the prostate cancer patients compared with the controls [p<0.001]. The serum levels of ALP,HSAP,.ACP and PAP increased significantly in each age group in the prostate cancer patients [P<0.01] respectively. statistical analysis showed significant progressive increases in the serum levels of these isoenzymes with increase in the duration of the disease [P<0.01] in each case. The results re-confirm the relevance of PAP and ACP in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer. It also indicates that ALP and HSAP may contribute to the diagnosis and monitoring of possible metastasis in prostate carcinoma, especially in economically disadvantaged communities