Investigation of specific antigens in prostatic cancer

Rabbits immunized with normal human prostatic homogenates have been shown to develop antibodies specific for one form of prostatic acid phosphatase and a protein antigen which does not appear to possess enzymatic activity. Antibodies were also developed against several other proteins, esterase, two aminopeptidases, and a second form of acid phosphatase. Extensive absorption of the antisera with gluteraldehydepolymerized serum and kidney homogenate removed all antibodies except those which react with the specific acid phosphatase and the specific protein. These two antigens have been separated from each other by ion-exchange chromatography. The partially purified acid phosphatase has been used to produce antiserum employed for the detection of prostatic cancer in bone marrow aspirates.