Leucine amino peptidase a better indicator of disseminated malignant disease

Leucine amino peptidase (LAP) activity was studied in serum and urine samples of 25 healthy ambulant subjects, 20 patients with localised and 41 patients with malignant disseminated disease. Serum levels of the enzyme were elevated but not significantly in both localised and disseminated disease whereas the urinary activity of the enzyme was markedly elevated in disseminated disease (p<0.001) as compared to localised disease. This quantitative method used for determination is reliable, accurate, simple, rapid and cost effective and therefore has better application as an indicator of disseminated disease in a clincal setting.