Acid Phosphatase in Carcinoma of the Prostate in Man

Abstract

Quantitative histochemistry of the human prostate demonstrates that in microtome sections of equal protein content the acid phosphatase activity is proportional to the number of acini present. The occurrence of cancer in these acini results in a profound lowering of the acid phosphatase activity. We postulate that the normal cell that evolves slowly into the cancer cell and highly differentiated carcinoma subsequently becomes undifferentiated and metastasizes. Finally, it is suggested that some change in the deoxyribonucleic-ribonucleic acid complex initiated by hormonal imbalance results in the loss of certain normal physiological functions such as the production and secretion of acid phosphatase and if these losses do not lead to cell death, tumor formation results.

Some biochemical and histochemical aspects in hyperplasia and carcinoma of the human prostate

“…Both studies showed a lower activity in cancer cells than in hyperplastic cells. This is in agreement with earlier results (Marberger, 1956;Woodard, 1956;Parkin et al, 1964;Kirchheim et al, 1964;Brandes and Bourne, 1956). The histochemically demonstrated absence of amino-peptidase activity in prostatic carcinomatous tissue was discussed by Kirchheim as a criterion of malignancy (Kirchheim et al, 1966).…”

“…From the literature, there seems to be agreement in the localization of the enzymes, but the amount of activity is discussed and diverging results have been obtained (Parkin et al, 1964;Kirchheim et al, 1964;Mathes and Norman, 1956;Brandes and Bourne, 1956;Feustel et al, 1970;Aso et al, 1968). Additional studies were performed in our investigations.…”

Glycolipid Expression in Prostatic Tissue and Analysis of the Antigen Recognized by Antiprostatic Monoclonal Antibody APG1

“…Weak staining by APG1 was observed in the normal and hyperplastic glands of most sections, but no staining was observed in the carci noma. The frequency of the positive staining for anti-PSAP and anti-PSA was reduced with increasing grade as indicated by a number of reports [11,12], Frozen Sections. The positive staining rate of APG1 was 100% in simple glands, 33% in cribriform and fused glands and 17% in solid and trabecular types, showing a declining frequency of the positive staining with tumor grade ( fig.…”

Enzymes and histological differentiation of tumours

“…By contrast, in the same tumours activity of succinic and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase was reduced. In studies of human prostate cancer, some workers have shown by quantitative histochemical techniques that the level of acid phosphatase activity is reduced as tumour differentiation decreases (Parkin, Bylsma, Torre, Drew, and Madden, 1964). Other histochqmical studies of human cancers have revealed somewhat conflicting results which may be attributed in part to the methodology employed (Dawson, 1967).…”