title: Comparison of prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase in the management of prostatic cancer.
abstract: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) have been evaluated in patients with prostatic cancer. All patients, who participated in a phase III trial (n = 110), had disseminated disease and received first line endocrine treatment of either orchidectomy or a monthly injection of a depot luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (Zoladex). Serum samples were analyzed for PSA and PAP at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months and patients were clinically assessed at 6 and 12 months. At diagnosis, 72 and 97% of all patients had elevated PAP and PSA concentrations (greater than 4 ng/ml), respectively. Patients with progressive disease had significantly higher PSA and PAP levels at both assessments. A small number of patients in the "complete remission" group had both PSA and PAP levels within the normal range after 3 months of treatment. Similarly, both PSA and PAP levels steadily declined in the group of patients who had partial regression of the disease. The patients with stable disease, however, had a significant rise only in their PSA levels at the 12-month assessment. This data suggest that PSA is more sensitive than PAP in those patients who have a "slow progression" of the disease.
authors: Tenovus Institute for Cancer Research, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, U.K.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Turkes
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Nott
authors: A O
authors: AO
authors: Turkes
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000628:therapy; D011467:Prostate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000201:enzymology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen