Clinical application of prostatic markers. II. Circulating tumour markers in diagnosis and treatment.
Acid phosphatase in serum has been used for half a century as a circulating marker in prostatic disease. Recently new proteins have been introduced as potential markers to replace acid phosphatase. Neither acid phosphatase nor the alternative markers are of clinical value in the detection and classification of prostatic neoplasms, though they are of some value for monitoring the course of disease and its response to treatment. Important questions concerning the biology of the tumour markers in regard to site of origin, secretion and turnover remain to be answered.
Hørder
M
M
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Svanholm
H
H
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000135:Acid Phosphatase