Immunofluorescence for Prostatic Acid Phosphatase: Clinical Applications

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Abstract
An indirect immunofluorescence technique to detect cells producing prostatic acid phosphatase was used to evaluate 12 biopsies of soft tissue masses of possible metastatic prostatic carcinoma. In 10 patients varying degrees of immunofluorescence were observed, confirming the origin of the primary tumor. Specimens from 34 patients with prostatic carcinoma were obtained by radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate. A comparison of histological grade (Gleason), semiquantitative immunofluorescence for prostatic acid phosphatase and hormonal responsiveness was done. There was a suggestion of higher hormonal responsiveness in the group with a low Gleason score and a high percentage of positive immunofluorescence that presently cannot be evaluated completely since some patients still are under therapy. This method may be used in the future in conunction with other techniques, such as androgen receptors, to define a population of patients most likely to respond to hormonal manipulation.