Significance of alkaline phosphatase isozymes in the monitoring of patients with colorectal carcinoma

Tumour Biol. 1989;10(5):225-31. doi: 10.1159/000217619.

Abstract

The clinical course of colorectal carcinoma may be monitored by tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carcinoma antigen (CA) 19-9 and CA-50. Alkaline phosphatase isozymes were previously used to study the clinical course of testicular and gynecologic tumors. In this study we investigated 8 patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Their sera were analyzed for the tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, CA-50 and three alkaline phosphatase isozymes: the nonspecific liver isozyme LAP, the intestinal isozyme IAP and the placental isozyme PLAP. Rising levels of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA-50 were seen as expected, and PLAP also showed rising levels during tumor progression. LAP remained elevated. This indicates an association between progression of colorectal carcinoma and a raised serum content of alkaline phosphatase isozymes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood*
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / analysis
  • Carcinoma / enzymology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestines / enzymology
  • Isoenzymes / blood
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Placenta / enzymology

Substances

  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Isoenzymes
  • Alkaline Phosphatase