The evaluation of a new enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of prostatic acid phosphatase.
An enzyme immunoassay for prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) has been assessed. An upper limit normal is set at 1.8 microgram/1. There is a very low incidence of raised levels in chronic diseases or cancers other than those of the prostate. Patients with well-controlled prostatic cancer have levels less than 1.8 microgram/1 and show little variation about their own mean. PAP can rise exponentially with a doubling time of 1-5 months. This assay is unlikely to increase the detection of asymptomatic prostatic cancer as 66% of T0-2NXM0 cases had PAP less than 1.8 microgram/1. The main advantages over routine enzyme assays are its sensitivity and accuracy in the lower range.
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008832:Microchemistry; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000201:enzymology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*
D000135:Acid Phosphatase