Acid phosphatase content of prostatic exprimate from patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma: A potential prognostic and therapeutic index

Abstract

Prostatic exprimate acid phosphatase content was measured in patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma (stages III and IV). Enzyme levels were compared with values found in normal subjects and in patients with other chronic illnesses. The acid phosphatase concentration was significantly lower in patients with prostatic carcinoma than in other age-matched groups. Hypoandrogenicity could not account for the decreased acid phosphatase levels, since in some patients with low levels plasma testosterone concentration was normal. The low acid phosphatase content of prostatic fluid, together with histochemical reports of decreased amounts of this enzyme in prostatic malignancies, suggest that many of these tumors have a diminished capacity to synthesize this enzyme. Measurement of exprimate acid phosphatase may be an additional index of value in the classification of prostatic malignancies. The responsiveness of exprimate acid phosphatase to sex steroid administration (androgens raising and estrogens lowering) suggests that this measurement also may be useful in prognosis and evaluation of therapy.