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Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), also prostatic specific acid phosphatase (PSAP), is an enzyme produced by the prostate. It is a prostate epithelium-specific differentiation antigen found in large amounts initially in seminal fluid. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer or other diseases. It was reported that serum PAcP activity was significantly higher in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, particularly those with bone metastasis, than that in normal adult males. The highest levels of acid phosphatase are found in metastasized prostate cancer. Diseases of the bone, such as Paget's disease or hyperparathyroidism, diseases of blood cells, such as sickle-cell disease or multiple myeloma or lysosomal storage diseases, such as Gaucher's disease, will show moderately increased levels.
