Urokinase-type plasminogen activator as a marker for the formation of distant metastases in prostatic carcinomas.

Plasma levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator have been investigated in 80 patients with prostatic carcinoma by means of a radioimmunoassay. A total of 30 patients with disseminated prostatic carcinoma had significantly elevated levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, whereas the plasma levels in patients without metastases did not differ from a healthy age matched control group. Sensitivity of elevated urokinase-type plasminogen activator levels in patients with prostatic carcinoma for the presence of metastases was 80 per cent. Therefore, urokinase-type plasminogen activator appears to be a reliable marker for the formation of metastases in prostatic carcinoma.