Alpha 1 isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatases. Clinical importance and value for the detection of liver metastases.

Measurement of the alpha 1 (fast liver) fraction of alkaline phosphatases in the serum for 217 cancer patients, 92 patients with nonmalignant hepatic affections and 131 controls, revealed that the alpha 1 fraction offers better global value (94%), sensitivity (96%), and specificity (93%) than gamma GT or total alkaline phosphatase determinations for the detection of liver metastases during cancer. Initial data from study of the time of appearance of the alpha 1 fraction reveals that this fraction shows up earlier than rises in the gamma GT or total alkaline phosphatases. Results of a multiparametric study conducted on the alpha 1 fraction and various hepatic enzymatic tests (SGOT, SGPT, GLDH, ALP, gamma GT) indicate that the alpha 1 fraction used alone is better than any other test or combination of tests for biological detection of liver metastases. As concerns the influence of chemotherapy on the appearance of the alpha 1 fraction, the majority of the drugs used for anticancer chemotherapy do not seem to affect measurement of the alpha 1 ALP fraction. The alpha 1 fast liver fraction of alkaline phosphatases, detected by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate, can be considered one of the best known tests for the detection of liver metastases.