CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM TOTAL AND HEAT-STABLE ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASE IN LEUKEMIA PATIENTS

Aims and Background: Variations in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and placental-like (heat stable) alkaline phosphatase (FLAP) are found to be clinically useful in cancer patients. The present study evaluated serum ALP and FLAP levels to establish a blood-based biochemical index for leukemia patients. Study design: ALP and FLAP levels were determined in 145 untreated leukemia patients, 77 anemia patients, 150 healthy individuals (controls), 47 leukemic patients in remission and 23 patients with persistent leukemic activity/accelerated leukemic phase (P. Leu./A. Leu.). The enzymes were estimated with highly specific spectrophotometric methods. Results: Serum ALP and FLAP levels were significantly elevated in anemia patients and leukemia patients compared to controls. Comparison between anemia patients and leukemia patients showed insignificant differences for ALP, whereas PLAP levels were significantly raised (p < 0.001) in leukemia patients. ALP showed insignificant difference between untreated leukemia patients, patients with P. Leu./A. Leu. and leukemia patients in remission. FLAP levels were comparable in patients with P. Leu./A. Leu. end were significantly lower (p < 0.02) in leukemia patients in remission than in untreated leukemia patients. Conclusions: The results indicate that serum FLAP levels are a useful biochemical marker for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of leukemia patients. However, serum ALP levels have limited utility for leukemia patients.