Figure 1.

Abnormalities in ALP expression and activity have been observed in certain types of cancer. In some cases, including prostate cancer, liver metastasis, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, testicular cancer, elevated serum levels of ALP are observed in patients with bone metastasis. While, low ALP activity is associated with breast cancer and colorectal cancer. ALP inhibitors can reduce the growth and invasion of cancer cells. In all, ALP might be a potential tumor biomarker, and a potential therapeutic target. Red arrows indicate upregulated expression levels and green arrows indicate downregulated expression levels. ALP, alkaline phosphatase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; BSAP, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase; CA 19-9, carbohydrate antigen 19-9.