title: The diagnostic value of lysosomal enzyme patterns in bronchial aspirates of patients with suspected bronchial carcinoma.
abstract: The measurement of the activity of acid hydrolases and of alkaline phosphatase in bronchial aspirates obtained through bronchoscopic procedures from a series of 300 patients forms the basis for a screening program to diagnose bronchial malignant neoplasms more effectively. We define such a screening test as one permitting rapid measurements indicative of pathologic abnormalities and producing a preliminary diagnosis which, if in error, yields preferably a false-positive result. Using this approach, we demonstrated that an elevation of the activity of alkaline phosphatase or cathepsin D predicts a 50 percent likelihood of cancer, but elevation of both the concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and cathepsin D has an additive prediction of 71 percent. Data obtained in this study showed that the presence of a pulmonary tumor can cause increased levels of alkaline phosphatase or cathepsin D (or both) in bronchial aspirates before the presently accepted methods yield a diagnostic result. Furthermore, those patients with an elevated activity of alkaline phosphatase or cathepsin D (or both) but with no histologically demonstrable pulmonary carcinoma can be reexamined intermittently.
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism*; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000032:analysis; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D006801:Humans; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D013396:Suction
chemical_list: D005994:Glycerophosphates; D006867:Hydrolases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D005966:Glucuronidase; D002403:Cathepsins