Placental Alkaline Phosphatase as a Tumor Marker in Seminoma
Author Information
Author(s): A. Horwich, D.F. Tucker, M.J. Peckham
Primary Institution: Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden Hospital
Hypothesis
Can placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) levels be used as a reliable serum tumor marker for seminoma?
Conclusion
The study found that elevated serum PLAP levels are a useful marker for seminoma, particularly in non-smokers.
Supporting Evidence
- 94% of patients with active seminoma had elevated serum PLAP levels.
- 35% of patients in remission had elevated PLAP levels, attributed to smoking in 15 cases.
- Sequential PLAP assays reflected clinical response to treatment in all 7 patients tested.
Takeaway
Doctors can check a special substance in the blood called PLAP to help find out if someone has a type of testicular cancer called seminoma.
Methodology
Serum samples from 62 patients with seminoma were analyzed for PLAP-like activity using the H17 E2 monoclonal antibody assay.
Potential Biases
The false positive rate was influenced by smoking history.
Limitations
The sensitivity of the assay to detect subclinical seminoma has not been tested.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 16 with active seminoma and 46 in remission, with a mean follow-up of 33 months.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% confidence limits=47%-100%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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