Measurements of Serum y-Seminoprotein and Prostate Specific Antigen Evaluated for Monitoring Carcinoma of the Prostate

We have compared the concentrations in serum of 7-semino-protein (y-SM) and prostate specific antigen (PSA), two antigens of prostatic origin that are synthesized independent-ly of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP, EC 3.1.3.2), to assess their potential in monitoring prostatic cancer. At presentation, 27/30 (90%) patients with metastases had a PSA concentra-tion>10 ng/mL, and 29/30(97%) a)-SM concentration>10 ng/mL; 21/61(34%) with disease but without metastases had an abnormal content of PSA, and 23/61 (38%) an abnormal y-SM. Concentrations of PSA and ‘.SM were significantly correlated (r = 0.68, p <0.001). In 20 patients without metastases followed longitudinally, the median concentra-tions of y-SM, PSA, and PAP in the 13 patients who developed bony metastases or showed signs of local spread-ing of the tumor were 58 ng/mL, 34 ng/mL, and 2.1 U/L