A simple immunohistochemical method for the detection of prostatic acid phosphatase.

A simplified immunohistochemical method was developed to identify prostatic cells in paraffin sections for the diagnosis of primary or metastatic prostatic carcinoma. By incubating each section with a specific antiserum, followed by incubation with a specific acid phosphatase isoenzyme of the prostate, the antibody binding site is visualized by staining for acid phosphatase activity in the glandular epithelial cells of the prostate and in the metastatic prostate carcinoma cells that involve the lymph node. The present method is simpler and more specific than the previously described indirect immunoperoxidase method.