Differential suppression of serum prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen by 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of finasteride (Proscar) on the serum levels of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).


METHODS
Thirty patients on finasteride therapy for BPH formed the study group. Serum PSA and PAP levels were monitored for 2 years while the patients were receiving finasteride.


RESULTS
During 12 months of finasteride therapy the serum PSA was suppressed but serum PAP was unaffected. The baseline mean PAP value was 1.303 ng/mL prior to finasteride therapy; this changed to 1.510 ng/mL (P = 0.195) at 6 months and 1.166 ng/mL (P = 0.383) at 12 months. The serum PSA was 2.630 ng/mL at baseline, 1.757 ng/mL (P < 0.001) at 6 months and 1.545 ng/mL (P = 0.001) at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are warranted to determine if PAP has a role as a tumour marker in patients whose PSA is suppressed as a result of finasteride therapy.
Narayan
P
P
University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, USA.
Tewari
A
A
Jacob
G
G
Mahmood
I
I
Gajendran
V
V
Presti
J
J
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*
D018120:Finasteride; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen