False-positive screening results in the European randomized study of screening for prostate cancer

PSA, an outdated biomarker for prostate cancer: In search of a more specific biomarker, citrate takes the spotlight

The prevailing biomarker employed for prostate cancer (PCa) screening and diagnosis is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Despite excellent sensitivity, PSA lacks specificity, leading to false positives, unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnosis. Consequently, PSA is increasingly less used by clinicians, thus underscoring the imperative for the identification of new biomarkers. An emerging biomarker in this context is citrate, a molecule secreted by the normal prostate, which has been shown to be inversely correlated with PCa. Here, we discuss about PSA and its usage for PCa diagnosis, its lack of specificity, and the various conditions that can affect its levels. We then provide our vision about what we think would be a valuable addition to our PCa diagnosis toolkit, citrate. We describe the unique citrate metabolic program in the prostate and how this profile is reprogrammed during carcinogenesis. Finally, we summarize the evidence that supports the usage of citrate as a biomarker for PCa diagnosis, as it can be measured in various patient samples and be analyzed by several methods. The unique relationship between citrate and PCa, combined with the stability of citrate levels in other prostate-related conditions and the simplicity of its detection, further accentuates its potential as a biomarker.

Randomized trials of PSA screening

BACKGROUND

The role of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in prostate cancer (PCa) screening has evolved over recent decades with multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) spurring guideline changes. At present, controversy exists due to the indolent nature of many prostate cancers and associated risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. This review examines major RCTs evaluating PSA screening to inform clinical practices.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We summarize findings from primary RCTs investigating PSA screening's impact on PCa mortality and incidence: the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), and the Cluster Randomized Trial of PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer (CAP).

RESULTS

The PLCO Trial randomized men to annual PSA and DRE screening or usual care, reporting no significant difference in PCa mortality between groups at 17 years (RR 0.93, [95% CI: 0.81-1.08]), yet significantly increased detection and concomitant decreased detection in Gleason 6 (RR 1.17, [95% CI: 1.11-1.23]) and 8-10 disease (RR 0.89, [95% CI: 0.80-0.99]) in the screening group, respectively. The ESPRC Trial randomized men across seven European countries to PSA screening every 2-4 years or usual care, noting a 20% reduction in PCa mortality at 9 years (RR 0.81, [95% CI: 0.65-0.98]) and significant decrease in metastatic disease at 12 years (RR 0.70, [95% CI: 0.60-0.82]). The CAP Trial assessed a single PSA screening test's impact on PCa mortality yielding no significant difference in PCa mortality at 10 years (RR 0.96, [95% CI: 0.85-1.08]). Limitations amongst studies included high contamination between study arms and low compliance with study protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

While the CAP and initial PLCO trials showed no significant reduction in PCa mortality, the ERSPC demonstrated a 21% reduction at 13 years, with further benefits at extended follow-up. Differences in outcomes are attributed to variations in trial design, contamination, adherence rates, and PSA thresholds. Future studies are needed focus on optimizing screening intervals, targeting high-risk populations, and incorporating non-invasive diagnostic tools to improve screening efficacy and reduce associated harms.

Circulating Tumor DNA in Genitourinary Cancers: Detection, Prognostics, and Therapeutic Implications

CtDNA is emerging as a non-invasive clinical detection method for several cancers, including genitourinary (GU) cancers such as prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). CtDNA assays have shown promise in early detection of GU cancers, providing prognostic information, assessing real-time treatment response, and detecting residual disease and relapse. The ease of obtaining a "liquid biopsy" from blood or urine in GU cancers enhances its potential to be used as a biomarker. Interrogating these "liquid biopsies" for ctDNA can then be used to detect common cancer mutations, novel genomic alterations, or epigenetic modifications. CtDNA has undergone investigation in numerous clinical trials, which could address clinical needs in GU cancers, for instance, earlier detection in RCC, therapeutic response prediction in castration-resistant prostate cancer, and monitoring for recurrence in bladder cancers. The utilization of liquid biopsy for ctDNA analysis provides a promising method of advancing precision medicine within the field of GU cancers.

Intracellular MicroRNA Imaging and Specific Discrimination of Prostate Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells Using Multifunctional Gold Nanoprobe-Based Thermophoretic Assay

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have emerged as powerful biomarkers for diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, the effective identification and concurrently accurate imaging of CTCs for early screening of prostate cancer have been rarely explored. Herein, we reported a multifunctional gold nanoprobe-based thermophoretic assay for simultaneous specific distinguishing of prostate cancer CTCs and sensitive imaging of intracellular microRNA (miR-21), achieving the rapid and precise detection of prostate cancer. The multifunctional gold nanoprobe (GNP-DNA/Ab) was modified by two types of prostate-specific antibodies, anti-PSMA and anti-EpCAM, which could effectively recognize the targeting CTCs, and meanwhile linked double-stranded DNA for further visually imaging intracellular miR-21. Upon the specific internalization of GNP-DNA/Ab by PC-3 cells, target aberrant miR-21 could displace the signal strand to recover the fluorescence signal for sensitive detection at the single-cell level, achieving single PC-3 cell imaging benefiting from the thermophoresis-mediated signal amplification procedure. Taking advantage of the sensitive miR-21 imaging performance, GNP-DNA/Ab could be employed to discriminate the PC-3 and Jurkat cells because of the different expression levels of miR-21. Notably, PC-3 cells were efficiently recognized from white blood cells, exhibiting promising potential for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. Furthermore, GNP-DNA/Ab possessed good biocompatibility and stability. Therefore, this work provides a great tool for aberrant miRNA-related detection and specific discrimination of CTCs, achieving the early and accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.

"Shared decision-making" for prostate cancer screening: Is it a marker of quality preventative healthcare?

BACKGROUND

"Shared decision-making" (SDM) is a cornerstone of prostate cancer (PCa) screening guidelines due to tradeoffs between clinical benefits and concerns for over-diagnosis and over-treatment. SDM requires effort by primary-care-providers (PCP) in an often busy clinical setting to understand patient preferences with the backdrop of patient risk factors. We hypothesized that SDM for PCa screening, given its prominence in guidelines and practical challenges, may be associated with quality preventative healthcare in terms of other appropriate cancer screening and encouragement of other preventative health behaviors.

METHODS

From the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, 50-75 year old men who underwent PSA screening were assessed for their participation in SDM, PCa and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, and other preventative health behaviors, like vaccination, exercise, and smoking status. Adjusted odds ratio of likelihood of PSA testing as a function of SDM was calculated. Likelihoods of SDM and PSA testing as a function of preventative health behaviors were also calculated.

RESULTS

Screening rates were 62 % for PCa and 88 % for CRC. Rates of SDM were 39.1 % in those with PSA screening, and 16.2 % in those without. Odds of PSA screening were higher when SDM was present (AOR = 2.68). History of colonoscopy was associated with higher odds of SDM (AOR = 1.16) and PSA testing (AOR = 1.94). Health behaviors, like regular exercise, were associated with increased odds of SDM (AOR = 1.14) and PSA testing (AOR = 1.28). History of flu vaccination (AOR = 1.29) and pneumonia vaccination (AOR = 1.19) were associated with higher odds of SDM. Those who received the flu vaccine were also more likely to have PSA testing (AOR = 1.36). Smoking was negatively associated with SDM (AOR = 0.86) and PSA testing (AOR = 0.93). Older age was associated with higher rates of PSA screening (AOR = 1.03, CI = 1.03-1.03). Black men were more likely than white men to have SDM (AOR = 1.6, CI = 1.59 - 1.6) and decreased odds of PSA testing (AOR = 0.94, CI = 0.94 - 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

SDM was associated with higher odds of PSA screening, CRC screening, and other appropriate preventative health behaviors. Racial disparities exist in both SDM and PSA screening usage. SDM may be a trackable metric that can lead to wider preference-sensitive care and improved preventative care.

Ultra-short cell-free DNA fragments enhance cancer early detection in a multi-analyte blood test combining mutation, protein and fragmentomics

OBJECTIVES

Cancer morbidity and mortality can be reduced if the cancer is detected early. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomics emerged as a novel epigenetic biomarker for early cancer detection, however, it is still at its infancy and requires technical improvement. We sought to apply a single-strand DNA sequencing technology, for measuring genetic and fragmentomic features of cfDNA and evaluate the performance in detecting multiple cancers.

METHODS

Blood samples of 364 patients from six cancer types (colorectal, esophageal, gastric, liver, lung, and ovarian cancers) and 675 healthy individuals were included in this study. Circulating tumor DNA mutations, cfDNA fragmentomic features and a set of protein biomarkers were assayed. Sensitivity and specificity were reported by cancer types and stages.

RESULTS

Circular Ligation Amplification and sequencing (CLAmp-seq), a single-strand DNA sequencing technology, yielded a population of ultra-short fragments (<100 bp) than double-strand DNA preparation protocols and reveals a more significant size difference between cancer and healthy cfDNA fragments (25.84 bp vs. 16.05 bp). Analysis of the subnucleosomal peaks in ultra-short cfDNA fragments indicates that these peaks are regulatory element "footprints" and correlates with gene expression and cancer stages. At 98 % specificity, a prediction model using ctDNA mutations alone showed an overall sensitivity of 46 %; sensitivity reaches 60 % when protein is added, sensitivity further increases to 66 % when fragmentomics is also integrated. More improvements observed for samples representing earlier cancer stages than later ones.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest synergistic properties of protein, genetic and fragmentomics features in the identification of early-stage cancers.

Prostate cancer screening in African American men: a review of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in African American men, yet prostate cancer screening regimens in this group are poorly guided by existing evidence, given underrepresentation of African American men in prostate cancer screening trials. It is critical to optimize prostate cancer screening and early detection in this high-risk group because underdiagnosis may lead to later-stage cancers at diagnosis and higher mortality while overdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment.

METHODS

We performed a review of the literature related to prostate cancer screening and early detection specific to African American men to summarize the existing evidence available to guide health-care practice.

RESULTS

Limited evidence from observational and modeling studies suggests that African American men should be screened for prostate cancer. Consideration should be given to initiating screening of African American men at younger ages (eg, 45-50 years) and at more frequent intervals relative to other racial groups in the United States. Screening intervals can be optimized by using a baseline prostate-specific antigen measurement in midlife. Finally, no evidence has indicated that African American men would benefit from screening beyond 75 years of age; in fact, this group may experience higher rates of overdiagnosis at older ages.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence base for prostate cancer screening in African American men is limited by the lack of large, randomized studies. Our literature search supported the need for African American men to be screened for prostate cancer, for initiating screening at younger ages (45-50 years), and perhaps screening at more frequent intervals relative to men of other racial groups in the United States.

Modifiable risk factors for subsequent lethal prostate cancer among men with an initially negative prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND

Previously suggested modifiable risk factors for prostate cancer could have resulted from detection bias because diagnosis requires a biopsy. We investigated modifiable risk factors for a subsequent cancer diagnosis among men with an initially negative prostate biopsy.

METHODS

In total, 10,396 participants of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study with an initial negative prostate biopsy after 1994 were followed for incident prostate cancer until 2017. Potential risk factors were based on previous studies in the general population. Outcomes included localised, advanced, and lethal prostate cancer.

RESULTS

With 1851 prostate cancer cases (168 lethal) diagnosed over 23 years of follow-up, the 20-year risk of any prostate cancer diagnosis was 18.5% (95% CI: 17.7-19.3). Higher BMI and lower alcohol intake tended to be associated with lower rates of localised disease. Coffee, lycopene intake and statin use tended to be associated with lower rates of lethal prostate cancer. Results for other risk factors were less precise but compatible with and of similar direction as for men in the overall cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for future prostate cancer among men with a negative biopsy were generally consistent with those for the general population, supporting their validity given reduced detection bias, and could be actionable, if confirmed.

Unraveling the Role of EV-Derived miR-150-5p in Prostate Cancer Metastasis and Its Association with High-Grade Gleason Scores: Implications for Diagnosis

Metastasis remains the leading cause of mortality in prostate cancer patients. The presence of tumor cells in lymph nodes is an established prognostic indicator for several cancer types, such as melanoma, breast, oral, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. Emerging evidence highlights the role of microRNAs enclosed within extracellular vesicles as facilitators of molecular communication between tumors and metastatic sites in the lymph nodes. This study aims to investigate the potential diagnostic utility of EV-derived microRNAs in liquid biopsies for prostate cancer. By employing microarrays on paraffin-embedded samples, we characterized the microRNA expression profiles in metastatic lymph nodes, non-metastatic lymph nodes, and primary tumor tissues of prostate cancer. Differential expression of microRNAs was observed in metastatic lymph nodes compared to prostate tumors and non-metastatic lymph node tissues. Three microRNAs (miR-140-3p, miR-150-5p, and miR-23b-3p) were identified as differentially expressed between tissue and plasma samples. Furthermore, we evaluated the expression of these microRNAs in exosomes derived from prostate cancer cells and plasma samples. Intriguingly, high Gleason score samples exhibited the lowest expression of miR-150-5p compared to control samples. Pathway analysis suggested a potential regulatory role for miR-150-5p in the Wnt pathway and bone metastasis. Our findings suggest EV-derived miR-150-5p as a promising diagnostic marker for identifying patients with high-grade Gleason scores and detecting metastasis at an early stage.

Accurate prostate cancer detection based on enrichment and characterization of prostate cancer specific circulating tumor cells

BACKGROUND

The low specificity of serum PSA resulting in the inability to effectively differentiate prostate cancer from benign prostate conditions is a persistent clinical challenge. The low sensitivity of serum PSA results in false negatives and can miss high-grade prostate cancers. We describe a non-invasive test for detection of prostate cancer based on functional enrichment of prostate adenocarcinoma associated circulating tumor cells (PrAD-CTCs) from blood samples followed by their identification by immunostaining for pan-cytokeratins (PanCK), prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), alpha methyl-acyl coenzyme-A racemase (AMACR), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), and common leucocyte antigen (CD45).

METHODS

Analytical validation studies were performed to establish the performance characteristics of the test using VCaP prostate cancer cells spiked into healthy donor blood (HDB). The clinical performance characteristics of the test were evaluated in a case-control study with 160 known prostate cancer cases and 800 healthy males, followed by a prospective clinical study of 210 suspected cases of prostate cancer.

RESULTS

Analytical validation established analyte stability as well as acceptable performance characteristics. The test showed 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity to differentiate prostate cancer cases from healthy individuals in the case control study and 91.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity to differentiate prostate cancers from benign prostate conditions in the prospective clinical study.

CONCLUSIONS

The test accurately detects PrAD-CTCs with high sensitivity and specificity irrespective of stage, serum PSA or Gleason score, which translates into low risks of false negatives or overdiagnosis. The high accuracy of the test could offer advantages over PSA based prostate cancer detection.

Radiomic-based machine learning model for the accurate prediction of prostate cancer risk stratification

OBJECTIVES

To precisely predict prostate cancer (PCa) risk stratification, we constructed a machine learning (ML) model based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomic features.

METHODS

Between August 2016 and May 2021, patients with histologically proven PCa who underwent pre-operative MRI and prostate-specific antigen screening were included. The patients were grouped into different risk categories as defined by the European Association of Urology-European Association of Nuclear Medicine-European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology-European Society of Urogenital Radiology-International Society of Geriatric Oncology guidelines. Using Artificial Intelligence Kit software, PCa regions of interest were delineated and radiomic features were extracted. Subsequently, predictable models were built by utilising five traditional ML approaches: support vector machine, logistic regression, gradient boosting decision tree, k-nearest neighbour and random forest (RF) classifiers. The classification capacity of the developed models was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 213 patients were enrolled, including 16 low-risk, 65 intermediate-risk, and 132 high-risk PCa patients. The risk stratification of PCa could be revealed by MRI radiomic features, and second-order features accounted for most of the selected features. Among the five established ML models, the RF model showed the best overall predictive performance (AUC = 0.87). After further analysis of the subgroups based on the RF model, the prediction of the high-risk group was the best (AUC = 0.89).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the MR radiomics-based ML method could be a promising tool for predicting PCa risk stratification precisely.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The ML models have valuable prospect for accurate PCa risk assessment, which might contribute to customize treatment and surveillance strategies.

Advances in Urological Cancer in 2022, from Basic Approaches to Clinical Management

This Special Issue includes 12 articles and 3 reviews dealing with several basic and clinical aspects of prostate, renal, and urinary tract cancer published during 2022 in Cancers, and intends to serve as a multidisciplinary chance to share the last advances in urological neoplasms [...].

Current prostate cancer screening and treatment strategies may not support a holistic nationwide program

The diversity of the United Kingdom population and its health care personnel makes it unique for research into evidence-based prostate cancer screening and management strategies. Therefore, ensuring that appropriate systems and services are available to enhance treatment support for men with underlying risk factors should be a priority for health care providers. More efforts are also needed to ensure the representation of men of Black ethnic origin and underserved populations in future prostate cancer research used to inform clinical guidelines.

Deep Learning Reconstruction Enables Highly Accelerated Biparametric MR Imaging of the Prostate

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) can be curative; however, prostate-specific antigen is a suboptimal screening test for clinically significant PCa. While prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has demonstrated value for the diagnosis of PCa, the acquisition time is too long for a first-line screening modality.

PURPOSE

To accelerate prostate MRI exams, utilizing a variational network (VN) for image reconstruction.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and thirteen subjects (train/val/test: 70/13/30) undergoing prostate MRI.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

3.0 T; a T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) T2-weighted image (T2WI) sequence in axial and coronal planes, and axial echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

ASSESSMENT

Four abdominal radiologists evaluated the image quality of VN reconstructions of retrospectively under-sampled biparametric MRIs (bp-MRI), and standard bp-MRI reconstructions for 20 test subjects (studies). The studies included axial and coronal T2WI, DWI B50 seconds/mm² and B1000 seconds/mm (4-fold T2WI, 3-fold DWI), all of which were evaluated separately for image quality on a Likert scale (1: non-diagnostic to 5: excellent quality). In another 10 test subjects, three readers graded lesions on bp-MRI-which additionally included calculated B1500 seconds/mm² , and apparent diffusion coefficient map-according to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS v2.1), for both VN and standard reconstructions. Accuracy of PI-RADS ≥3 for clinically significant cancer was computed. Projected scan time of the retrospectively under-sampled biparametric exam was also computed.

STATISTICAL TESTS

One-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of image quality. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for lesion detection and grading. Generalized estimating equation with cluster effect was used to compare differences between standard and VN bp-MRI. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Three of four readers rated no significant difference for overall quality between the standard and VN axial T2WI (Reader 1: 4.00 ± 0.56 (Standard), 3.90 ± 0.64 (VN) P = 0.33; Reader 2: 4.35 ± 0.74 (Standard), 3.80 ± 0.89 (VN) P = 0.003; Reader 3: 4.60 ± 0.50 (Standard), 4.55 ± 0.60 (VN) P = 0.39; Reader 4: 3.65 ± 0.99 (Standard), 3.60 ± 1.00 (VN) P = 0.38). All four readers rated no significant difference for overall quality between standard and VN DWI B1000 seconds/mm² (Reader 1: 2.25 ± 0.62 (Standard), 2.45 ± 0.75 (VN) P = 0.96; Reader 2: 3.60 ± 0.92 (Standard), 3.55 ± 0.82 (VN) P = 0.40; Reader 3: 3.85 ± 0.72 (Standard), 3.55 ± 0.89 (VN) P = 0.07; Reader 4: 4.70 ± 0.76 (Standard); 4.60 ± 0.73 (VN) P = 0.17) and three of four readers rated no significant difference for overall quality between standard and VN DWI B50 seconds/mm² (Reader 1: 3.20 ± 0.70 (Standard), 3.40 ± 0.75 (VN) P = 0.98; Reader 2: 2.85 ± 0.81 (Standard), 3.00 ± 0.79 (VN) P = 0.93; Reader 3: 4.45 ± 0.72 (Standard), 4.05 ± 0.69 (VN) P = 0.02; Reader 4: 4.50 ± 0.69 (Standard), 4.45 ± 0.76 (VN) P = 0.50). In the lesion evaluation study, there was no significant difference in the number of PI-RADS ≥3 lesions identified on standard vs. VN bp-MRI (P = 0.92, 0.59, 0.87) with similar sensitivity and specificity for clinically significant cancer. The average scan time of the standard clinical biparametric exam was 11.8 minutes, and this was projected to be 3.2 minutes for the accelerated exam.

DATA CONCLUSION

Diagnostic accelerated biparametric prostate MRI exams can be performed using deep learning methods in <4 minutes, potentially enabling rapid screening prostate MRI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 5.

Prostate Cancer Screening Using Prostate-Specific Antigen Tests in a High-Risk Population in China: A Cost-Utility Analysis

BACKGROUND

Both National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Chinese guidelines recommend beginning prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for men aged 50 years or 45 years with a family history because they were at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Several model-based economic evaluations of PSA screening studies have been conducted, but with little evidence from China.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to conduct an economic evaluation of the cost-utility of PSA-based prostate cancer screening in Chinese men.

METHODS

We developed a decision-tree and Markov model in Excel (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, Washington) to compare 2 strategies that can be used to detect prostate cancer: PSA-based screening followed by a biopsy, and non-PSA screening. We assumed that the patients would repeat screening in subsequent years if their first-year PSA value was higher than 4.0 ng/mL. The model adopted health care system perspective and lifetime horizon. Screening efficacy, cost, utility, and long-term survival of prostate cancer were retrieved from published literature and physician surveys. Both quality-adjusted life year and costs were discounted at an annual rate of 3.5%. Uncertainty was assessed by 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Our model also calculated the risk-to-benefit ratio as the ratio of overdiagnosis (biopsy without diagnosed) to prostate cancer-related deaths prevented in different age groups.

RESULTS

The results suggested that PSA-based screening was cost-effective compared with no PSA screening, with an incremental cost-utility ratio of ¥11,381 ($1821/€1480) per quality-adjusted life year. This value was less than the threshold of 1-time gross domestic product per capita in China (ie, ¥70,892 [$11,343/€9216]). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. The risk-to-benefit ratios of the 50 to 65 years and the 65 to 80 years age groups were 1.3 and 2.8, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PSA-based prostate cancer screening appears to be cost-effective in some high-risk Chinese men. PSA screening (PSA testing followed by magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy if positive) can be recommended for Chinese men aged 50 to 65 years because this approach had the lowest risk-to-benefit ratio. The approach should be further adapted based on future updated data. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2022; 83:XXX-XXX)© 2022 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.

Do the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Tests That Are Ordered in Clinical Practice Adhere to the Pertinent Guidelines?

Scientific societies have provided guidelines to reduce PSA-specific harms. We studied the potential non-compliance of PSA testing with current guidelines in general practice. A cross-sectional study of a random sample of 1291 patients with a PSA test was performed between January and April 2018 in primary health care. Patients with a previous prostate cancer diagnosis or those who were being followed-up for previous high PSA values were excluded. Two independent researchers classified whether each test was potentially non-compliant with recommendations. We estimated frequencies of potentially non-compliant PSA determinations and calculated prevalence ratios (PR) to assess their relationship with possible explanatory variables. A total of 66% (95% CI: 62-69%) of PSA requests in asymptomatic patients were potentially non-compliant with the current guideline. This was associated with having a previous diagnosis of neoplasm (PR adjusted by age and life expectancy: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02-1.37) as well as being a current consumer of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs (PR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.97). Real world data shows that patients are still frequently exposed to overdiagnosis risk with a PSA potentially non-compliant with recommendations. Patients diagnosed with another neoplasm or non-consumers of toxic substances were more exposed, probably due to increased contact with doctors or health-seeking behaviour.

Biomarkers for prostate cancer: prostate-specific antigen and beyond

In recent years, several new biomarkers supplementing the role of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) have become available for men with prostate cancer. Although widely used in an ad hoc manner, the role of PSA in screening asymptomatic men for prostate cancer is controversial. Several expert panels, however, have recently recommended limited PSA screening following informed consent in average-risk men, aged 55-69 years. As a screening test for prostate cancer however, PSA has limited specificity and leads to overdiagnosis which in turn results in overtreatment. To increase specificity and reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies, biomarkers such as percent free PSA, prostate health index (PHI) or the 4K score may be used, while Progensa PCA3 may be measured to reduce the number of repeat biopsies in men with a previously negative biopsy. In addition to its role in screening, PSA is also widely used in the management of patients with diagnosed prostate cancer such as in surveillance following diagnosis, monitoring response to therapy and in combination with both clinical and histological criteria in risk stratification for recurrence. For determining aggressiveness and predicting outcome, especially in low- or intermediate-risk men, tissue-based multigene tests such as Decipher, Oncotype DX (Prostate), Prolaris and ProMark, may be used. Emerging therapy predictive biomarkers include AR-V7 for predicting lack of response to specific anti-androgens (enzalutamide, abiraterone), BRAC1/2 mutations for predicting benefit from PARP inhibitor and PORTOS for predicting benefit from radiotherapy. With the increased availability of multiple biomarkers, personalised treatment for men with prostate cancer is finally on the horizon.

Inappropriate practice in tumor marker requests at a university hospital in Western Saudi Arabia: A 3-year retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the level of appropriateness of tumor marker requests in a teaching hospital and estimated the financial cost associated with inappropriate use.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients' electronic records was conducted over a 3-year period (2015-2017) for tumor marker requests, including carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, cancer antigen (CA)15-3, CA125, CA19-9, and total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA and fPSA), along with the associated clinical data that motivated the requests. Inappropriate use was defined as tumor marker requests without any relevant clinical picture. Costs due to inappropriate tumor marker requests were estimated based on the unit costs applied in the institution.

RESULTS

A total of 7128 patients had at least one tumor marker request between 2015 and 2017. The clinical picture that motivated tumor marker requests was absent in 71.5%, while 12.9% of the requests were associated with a malignancy. The most frequent prescribing pattern was total prostate-specific antigen alone (2128; 29.9%), followed by alpha-fetoprotein alone (1185; 16.6%), and carcinoembryonic antigen alone (506; 7.1%). Year-over-year analysis revealed an increasing tendency in requesting carcinoembryonic antigen and CA15-3. The rate of inappropriate use varied by tumor marker and ranged between 56.4% for fPSA and 86.8% for total prostate-specific antigen. The overall costs due to inappropriate tumor marker requests were estimated at $2,785,493 over the 3 years, representing an average of $0.93 million per year.

CONCLUSION

Inappropriate use of tumor marker requests is a major issue regarding its high prevalence and the considerable associated costs. The role of laboratories in the management of tumor marker requests should be emphasized.

Modulation of complement activation by pentraxin-3 in prostate cancer

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an essential component of the innate immune system and a recognized modulator of Complement cascade. The role of Complement system in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer has been largely underestimated. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of PTX3 as possible modulator of Complement activation in the development of this neoplasia. We performed a single center cohort study; from January 2017 through December 2018, serum and prostate tissue samples were obtained from 620 patients undergoing prostate biopsy. A group of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) underwent a second biopsy within 12–36 months demonstrating the presence of a prostate cancer (Group A, n = 40) or confirming the diagnosis of BPH (Group B, N = 40). We measured tissue PTX3 protein expression together with complement activation by confocal microscopy in the first and second biopsy in group A and B patients. We confirmed that that PTX3 tissue expression in the first biopsy was increased in group A compared to group B patients. C1q deposits were extensively present in group A patients co-localizing and significantly correlating with PTX3 deposits; on the contrary, C1q/PTX3 deposits were negative in group B. Moreover, we found a significantly increased expression of C3a and C5a receptors within resident cells in group A patient. Interestingly, C1q/PTX3 deposits were not associated with activation of the terminal Complement complex C5b-9; moreover, we found a significant increase of Complement inhibitor CD59 in cancer tissue. Our data indicate that PTX3 might play a significant pathogenic role in the development of this neoplasia through recruitment of the early components of Complement cascade with hampered activation of terminal Complement pathway associated with the upregulation of CD59. This alteration might lead to the PTX3-mediated promotion of cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and insensitivity to apoptosis possible leading to cancer cell invasion and migration.

Rethinking prostate cancer screening: could MRI be an alternative screening test?

In the past decade rigorous debate has taken place about population-based screening for prostate cancer. Although screening by serum PSA levels can reduce prostate cancer-specific mortality, it is unclear whether the benefits outweigh the risks of false-positive results and overdiagnosis of insignificant prostate cancer, and it is not recommended for population-based screening. MRI screening for prostate cancer has the potential to be analogous to mammography for breast cancer or low-dose CT for lung cancer. A number of potential barriers and technical challenges need to be overcome in order to implement such a programme. We discuss different approaches to MRI screening that could address these challenges, including abbreviated MRI protocols, targeted MRI screening, longer rescreening intervals and a multi-modal screening pathway. These approaches need further investigation, and we propose a phased stepwise research framework to ensure proper evaluation of the use of a fast MRI examination as a screening test for prostate cancer.

Epidemiology, Staging and Management of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common and fifth most aggressive neoplasm among men worldwide. It is particularly incident in high human development index (HDI) nations, with an estimated one in seven men in the US receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. A rapid rise and then fall in prostate cancer incidence in the US and Europe corresponded to the implementation of widespread prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing in 1986 and then subsequent fall from favor due to high rates of false positives, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment (as many as 20-50% of men diagnosed could have remained asymptomatic in their lifetimes). Though few risk factors have been characterized, the best known include race (men of African descent are at higher risk), genetics (e.g., BRCA1/2 mutations), and obesity. The Gleason scoring system is used for histopathological staging and is combined with clinical staging for prognosis and treatment. National guidelines have grown more conservative over the past decades in management, recommending watchful waiting and observation in older men with low to intermediate risk disease. Among higher risk patients, prostatectomy (robotic is preferred) and/or external beam radiotherapy is the most common interventions, followed by ADT maintenance. Following progression on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (known as castration-resistance), next generation endocrine therapies like enzalutamide, often in combination with cytotoxic agent docetaxel, are standard of care. Other promising treatments include Radium-223 for bone metastases, pembrolizumab for programmed death ligand-1 (PDL1) and microsatellite instability (MSI) high disease, and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for those with mutations in homologous recombination (most commonly BRCA2).

The effect of information on prostate cancer screening decision process: a discrete choice experiment

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer screening is controversial because of uncertainty about its benefits and risks. The aim of this survey was to reveal preferences of men concerning prostate cancer screening and to test the effect of an informative video on these preferences.

METHODS

A stated preferences questionnaire was sent by e-mail to men aged 50-75 with no history of prostate cancer. Half of them were randomly assigned to view an informative video. A discrete choice model was established to reveal men's preferences for six prostate cancer screening characteristics: mortality by prostate cancer, number of false positive and false negative results, number of overdiagnosis, out-of-pocket costs and recommended frequency.

RESULTS

A population-based sample composed by 1024 men filled in the entire questionnaire. Each attribute gave the expected sign except for overdiagnosis. The video seemed to increase the intention to abstain from prostate cancer screening.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants attached greater importance to a decrease in the number of false negatives and a reduction in prostate cancer mortality than to other risks such as the number of false positives and overdiagnosis. Further research is needed to help men make an informed choice regarding screening.

A novel nomogram combined PIRADS v2 and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict the risk of clinically significant prostate cancer in men with PSA < 10 ng/ml at first biopsy

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System version 2 (PIRADS v2) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) improve the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer(csCaP) in men with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <10 ng/ml at first biopsy.

METHODS

Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were used to screen for independent risk factors of csCaP. The multivariable model based on the risk factors was to build the nomogram predicting csCaP and assessed by receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

This retrospective study included 335 men with PSA < 10 ng/ml who underwent initial biopsy. A total of 78 (23.3%) men had csCaP. The nomogram was built based on the multivariable model including age, digital rectal examination, free prostate-specific antigen, PIRADS v2, and NLR. It had high area under the curve of 0.876 and was well calibrated in internal validation. Decision curve analysis also demonstrated that it would improve the prediction of csCaP.

CONCLUSION

PIRADS v2 and NLR improve the detection of csCaP in men with PSA < 10 ng/ml at first biopsy. Due to lack of external validation, relatively small cohort and homogenous population, the study has several limitations. Despite of this, the nomogram based on our study is a promising tool for patients to understand their risk of csCaP and for urologists to make clinical decisions.

Circulating ensembles of tumor-associated cells: A redoubtable new systemic hallmark of cancer

Circulating ensembles of tumor‐associated cells (C‐ETACs) which comprise tumor emboli, immune cells and fibroblasts pose well‐recognized risks of thrombosis and aggressive metastasis. However, the detection, prevalence and characterization of C‐ETACs have been impaired due to methodological difficulties. Our findings show extensive pan‐cancer prevalence of C‐ETACs on a hitherto unreported scale in cancer patients and virtual undetectability in asymptomatic individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from blood samples of 16,134 subjects including 5,509 patients with epithelial malignancies in various organs and 10,625 asymptomatic individuals with age related higher cancer risk. PBMCs were treated with stabilizing reagents to protect and harvest apoptosis‐resistant C‐ETACs, which are defined as cell clusters comprising at least three EpCAM⁺ and CK⁺ cells irrespective of leucocyte common antigen (CD45) status. All asymptomatic individuals underwent screening investigations for malignancy including PAP smear, mammography, low‐dose computed tomography, evaluation of cancer antigen 125, cancer antigen 19‐9, alpha fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and clinical examination to identify healthy individuals with no indication of cancer. C‐ETACs were detected in 4,944 (89.8%, 95% CI: 89.0–90.7%) out of 5,509 cases of cancer. C‐ETACs were detected in 255 (3%, 95% CI: 2.7–3.4%) of the 8,493 individuals with no abnormal findings in screening. C‐ETACs were detected in 137 (6.4%, 95% CI: 5.4–7.4%) of the 2,132 asymptomatic individuals with abnormal results in one or more screening tests. Our study shows that heterotypic C‐ETACs are ubiquitous in epithelial cancers irrespective of radiological, metastatic or therapy status. C‐ETACs thus qualify to be a systemic hallmark of cancer.

What's new?

Circulating Ensembles of Tumor Associated Cells (C‐ETACs) comprised of tumor emboli, immune cells, and fibroblasts pose well‐recognized risks of thrombosis and aggressive metastasis. However, the detection and characterization of C‐ETACs have been impaired by methodological difficulties. Here, the authors have developed a label‐free non‐mechanical process that permits enrichment of viable apoptosis‐resistant C‐ETACs from peripheral blood. They show that heterotypic C‐ETACs are not merely incidental findings in cancer but rather a systemic manifestation of malignancy. C‐ETACs are present in a significant proportion of all solid organ malignancies and are rare in asymptomatic individuals. Monitoring of C‐ETACs could help inform cancer management.

Would You Recommend Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for This Patient?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer type in the United States overall, accounting for 9.5% of new cancer cases and 5% of cancer deaths. The goal of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening is to identify early-stage disease that can be treated successfully. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviewed evidence on the benefits and harms of PSA-based screening and treatment of screen-detected prostate cancer. It found that PSA-based screening in men aged 55 to 69 years prevents approximately 1.3 deaths from prostate cancer over 13 years per 1000 men screened and 3 cases of metastatic cancer per 1000 men screened, with no reduction in all-cause mortality. No benefit was found for PSA-based screening in men aged 70 years and older. On the basis of its review, the USPSTF concluded that the decision for men aged 55 to 69 years to have PSA-based screening should be an individual one and should include a discussion of the potential benefits and harms. Here, 2 experts-an internist and a urologist-discuss the key points of a shared decision-making conversation about PSA-based prostate cancer screening, the PSA-based screening strategy that optimizes benefit and minimizes harm, and the PSA threshold at which they would recommend further diagnostic testing.

Cancer overdiagnosis: a biological challenge and clinical dilemma

For cancer screening to be successful, it should primarily detect cancers with lethal potential or their precursors early, leading to therapy that reduces mortality and morbidity. Screening programmes have been successful for colon and cervical cancers, where subsequent surgical removal of precursor lesions has resulted in a reduction in cancer incidence and mortality. However, many types of cancer exhibit a range of heterogeneous behaviours and variable likelihoods of progression and death. Consequently, screening for some cancers may have minimal impact on mortality and may do more harm than good. Since the implementation of screening tests for certain cancers (for example, breast and prostate cancers), a spike in incidence of in situ and early-stage cancers has been observed, but a link to reduction in cancer-specific mortality has not been as clear. It is difficult to determine how many of these mortality reductions are due to screening and how many are due to improved treatments of tumours. In cancers with lower incidence but high mortality (for example, pancreatic cancer), screening has focused on high-risk populations, but challenges similar to those for general population screening remain, particularly with regard to finding lesions with difficult-to-characterize malignant potential (for example, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms). More sensitive screening methods are detecting smaller and smaller lesions, but this has not been accompanied by a comparable reduction in the incidence of invasive cancers. In this Opinion article, we focus on the contribution of screening in general and high-risk populations to overdiagnosis, the effects of overdiagnosis on patients and emerging strategies to reduce overdiagnosis of indolent cancers through an understanding of tumour heterogeneity, the biology of how cancers evolve and progress, the molecular and cellular features of early neoplasia and the dynamics of the interactions of early lesions with their surrounding tissue microenvironment.

Prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing to screen for prostate cancer.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic search of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, OpenGrey, LILACS, and Medline, and search of scientific meeting abstracts and trial registers to April 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Randomised controlled trials comparing PSA screening with usual care in men without a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

DATA EXTRACTION

At least two reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of eligible studies. A parallel guideline committee (BMJ Rapid Recommendation) provided input on the design and interpretation of the systematic review, including selection of outcomes important to patients. We used a random effects model to obtain pooled incidence rate ratios (IRR) and, when feasible, conducted subgroup analyses (defined a priori) based on age, frequency of screening, family history, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level, as well as a sensitivity analysis based on the risk of bias. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Five randomised controlled trials, enrolling 721 718 men, were included. Studies varied with respect to screening frequency and intervals, PSA thresholds for biopsy, and risk of bias. When considering the whole body of evidence, screening probably has no effect on all-cause mortality (IRR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.01; moderate certainty) and may have no effect on prostate-specific mortality (IRR 0.96, 0.85 to 1.08; low certainty). Sensitivity analysis of studies at lower risk of bias (n=1) also demonstrates that screening seems to have no effect on all-cause mortality (IRR 1.0, 0.98 to 1.02; moderate certainty) but may have a small effect on prostate-specific mortality (IRR 0.79, 0.69 to 0.91; moderate certainty). This corresponds to one less death from prostate cancer per 1000 men screened over 10 years. Direct comparative data on biopsy and treatment related complications from the included trials were limited. Using modelling, we estimated that for every 1000 men screened, approximately 1, 3, and 25 more men would be hospitalised for sepsis, require pads for urinary incontinence, and report erectile dysfunction, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

At best, screening for prostate cancer leads to a small reduction in disease-specific mortality over 10 years but has does not affect overall mortality. Clinicians and patients considering PSA based screening need to weigh these benefits against the potential short and long term harms of screening, including complications from biopsies and subsequent treatment, as well as the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number CRD42016042347.

Screening for Prostate Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

IMPORTANCE

In the United States, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is approximately 13%, and the lifetime risk of dying of prostate cancer is 2.5%. The median age of death from prostate cancer is 80 years. Many men with prostate cancer never experience symptoms and, without screening, would never know they have the disease. African American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer have an increased risk of prostate cancer compared with other men.

OBJECTIVE

To update the 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the benefits and harms of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer and subsequent treatment of screen-detected prostate cancer. The USPSTF also commissioned a review of existing decision analysis models and the overdiagnosis rate of PSA-based screening. The reviews also examined the benefits and harms of PSA-based screening in patient subpopulations at higher risk of prostate cancer, including older men, African American men, and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

FINDINGS

Adequate evidence from randomized clinical trials shows that PSA-based screening programs in men aged 55 to 69 years may prevent approximately 1.3 deaths from prostate cancer over approximately 13 years per 1000 men screened. Screening programs may also prevent approximately 3 cases of metastatic prostate cancer per 1000 men screened. Potential harms of screening include frequent false-positive results and psychological harms. Harms of prostate cancer treatment include erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and bowel symptoms. About 1 in 5 men who undergo radical prostatectomy develop long-term urinary incontinence, and 2 in 3 men will experience long-term erectile dysfunction. Adequate evidence shows that the harms of screening in men older than 70 years are at least moderate and greater than in younger men because of increased risk of false-positive results, diagnostic harms from biopsies, and harms from treatment. The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that the net benefit of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer in men aged 55 to 69 years is small for some men. How each man weighs specific benefits and harms will determine whether the overall net benefit is small. The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that the potential benefits of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer in men 70 years and older do not outweigh the expected harms.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

For men aged 55 to 69 years, the decision to undergo periodic PSA-based screening for prostate cancer should be an individual one and should include discussion of the potential benefits and harms of screening with their clinician. Screening offers a small potential benefit of reducing the chance of death from prostate cancer in some men. However, many men will experience potential harms of screening, including false-positive results that require additional testing and possible prostate biopsy; overdiagnosis and overtreatment; and treatment complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. In determining whether this service is appropriate in individual cases, patients and clinicians should consider the balance of benefits and harms on the basis of family history, race/ethnicity, comorbid medical conditions, patient values about the benefits and harms of screening and treatment-specific outcomes, and other health needs. Clinicians should not screen men who do not express a preference for screening. (C recommendation) The USPSTF recommends against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer in men 70 years and older. (D recommendation).

GC-MS based metabolomics used for the identification of cancer volatile organic compounds as biomarkers

A biomarker can be a metabolite, coming from a metabolic pathway or cell process, which might be employed in the diagnostic of diseases, predict patient response towards chemical therapies and/or monitor disease recurrences. Biomarkers, e.g. aldehydes or hydrocarbons, are often identified from different body fluids such as blood, urine, serum, saliva or from various tissues samples, and their concentration can vary from one sample to the other. However, the detection and the action of these biomarkers for diseases is a complicated process. Cancer is one of the main cause of death worldwide. The main characteristic of cancerous tumor is the uncontrolled growing of cells inside the organism. Likely, these uncontrolled growths are as consequence changes in the metabolism that could be analytically monitored. Depending on where the cancer cells are located, they provide different characteristics profiles. These profiles as fingerprints are used for differentiation in a comparison to normal cells. This critical study aimed at highlighting the latest progress in this area, especially in the employment of gas chromatography for the monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the identification of possible molecules used as biomarkers for cancer therapy.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts prostatic carcinoma in men undergoing needle biopsy

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a simple marker of systemic inflammatory response, has been demonstrated as an independent prognosticator for some solid malignancies, including prostate cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the role of NLR in men who underwent prostate needle biopsy for their initial diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma. Both complete blood counts and free/total (F/T) prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio were examined in a total of 3,011 men in our institution. Of these, 1,207 had a PSA level between 4 and 10 ng/mL, and 357 of 810 who subsequently underwent prostate needle biopsy were found to have prostatic adenocarcinoma. NLR value was significantly higher in men with PSA of ≥ 20 ng/mL than in those with PSA of < 20 ng/mL (p < 0.001). NLR was also significantly higher in men with positive biopsy than in those with negative biopsy (p < 0.001). Using NLR cut-off point of 2.40 determined by the AUROC curve, positive/negative predictive values of NLR alone and NLR combined with F/T PSA ratio (cut-off: 0.15) were 56.6%/60.8% and 80.7%/60.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that not only F/T PSA ratio (HR = 3.13) but also NLR (HR = 2.21) was an independent risk factor for prostate cancer. NLR is thus likely elevated in patients with prostate cancer. Accordingly, NLR, with or without combination with F/T PSA ratio, may function as a new biomarker to predict prostate cancer in men undergoing prostate needle biopsy.

Impact of prostate-specific antigen on a baseline prostate cancer risk assessment including genetic risk

OBJECTIVE

To determine to what extent prostate cancer (PCa) risk prediction is improved by adding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to a baseline model including genetic risk.

METHODS

Peripheral blood deoxyribonucleic acid was obtained from Caucasian men undergoing prostate biopsy at the University of Toronto (September 1, 2008 to January 31, 2010). Thirty-three PCa risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped to generate the prostate cancer genetic score 33 (PGS-33). Primary outcome is PCa on study prostate biopsy. Logistic regression, area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC), and net reclassification improvement were used to compare models.

RESULTS

Among 670 patients, 323 (48.2%) were diagnosed with PCa. The PGS-33 was highly associated with biopsy-detectable PCa (odds ratio, 1.66; P = 5.86E-05; AUC, 0.59) compared with PSA (odds ratio, 1.33; P = .01; AUC, 0.55). PSA did not improve risk prediction when added to a baseline model (age, family history, digital rectal examination, and PGS-33) for overall risk (AUC, 0.66 vs 0.66; P = .86) or Gleason score ≥7 PCa (AUC, 0.71 vs 0.73; P = .15). Net reclassification improvement analyses demonstrated no appropriate reclassifications with the addition of PSA to the baseline model for overall PCa but did show some benefit for reclassification of men thought to be at higher baseline risk in the high-grade PCa analysis.

CONCLUSION

In a baseline model of PCa risk including the PGS-33, PSA does not add to risk prediction for overall PCa for men presenting for "for-cause" biopsy. These findings suggest that PSA screening may be minimized in men at low baseline risk.

The clinic-pathological characteristics of prostate cancer in an Irish subpopulation with a serum PSA less than 4.0ng/ml

Background:

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been used as a biomarker for prostate cancer for the last 20 years. Traditionally, a serum PSA <4 ng/ml has been used as a general cut-off between normal and abnormal readings. There is evidence to demonstrate that men with a normal serum PSA can develop prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinico-pathological features of prostate cancer in a non-screened Irish cohort with serum PSA <4 ng/ml.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in a tertiary referral unit over a 10-year period (2000–2010). Clinico-pathological characteristics were collated including those from trans-rectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) prostate biopsies and radical prostatectomy specimens.

Results:

Between 2000 and 2010, 651 men underwent an RRP, with 43 (6.6%) having a serum PSA <4 ng/ml. The median PSA was 3.2 ng/ml (range 0.8–4.0). Nineteen (44.2%) had palpable disease on direct rectal examination (DRE). Following prostatectomy, 28 (65.12%) had Gleason 6 disease, 14 (32.56%) had Gleason 7 disease and one (2.32%) had Gleason 8 disease. Five (11.63%) patients were upgraded from TRUS biopsy to final histopathology. Six (13.95%) patients had pathological evidence of extracapsular extension on final pathology. Three (6.98%) patients experienced biochemical recurrence and received salvage radiation therapy after a median time of 24 months. The median follow-up was 106 months (range 36–158). Twenty (46.51%) patients had a first-degree family history of prostate cancer.

Conclusions:

A PSA cut-off of 4 ng/ml has commonly been used in the detection of prostate cancer. Our study emphasizes that this cut-off is inappropriate and that no specific level of PSA can be used. Management decisions need to be individualized based on index of suspicion with concomitant counselling and rectal examination.

Screening for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Any form of screening aims to reduce disease-specific and overall mortality, and to improve a person's future quality of life. Screening for prostate cancer has generated considerable debate within the medical and broader community, as demonstrated by the varying recommendations made by medical organizations and governed by national policies. To better inform individual patient decision-making and health policy decisions, we need to consider the entire body of data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on prostate cancer screening summarised in a systematic review. In 2006, our Cochrane review identified insufficient evidence to either support or refute the use of routine mass, selective, or opportunistic screening for prostate cancer. An update of the review in 2010 included three additional trials. Meta-analysis of the five studies included in the 2010 review concluded that screening did not significantly reduce prostate cancer-specific mortality. In the past two years, several updates to studies included in the 2010 review have been published thereby providing the rationale for this update of the 2010 systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether screening for prostate cancer reduces prostate cancer-specific mortality or all-cause mortality and to assess its impact on quality of life and adverse events.

SEARCH METHODS

An updated search of electronic databases (PROSTATE register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CANCERLIT, and the NHS EED) was performed, in addition to handsearching of specific journals and bibliographies, in an effort to identify both published and unpublished trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All RCTs of screening versus no screening for prostate cancer were eligible for inclusion in this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The original search (2006) identified 99 potentially relevant articles that were selected for full-text review. From these citations, two RCTs were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The search for the 2010 version of the review identified a further 106 potentially relevant articles, from which three new RCTs were included in the review. A total of 31 articles were retrieved for full-text examination based on the updated search in 2012. Updated data on three studies were included in this review. Data from the trials were independently extracted by two authors.

MAIN RESULTS

Five RCTs with a total of 341,342 participants were included in this review. All involved prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, with or without digital rectal examination (DRE), though the interval and threshold for further evaluation varied across trials. The age of participants ranged from 45 to 80 years and duration of follow-up from 7 to 20 years. Our meta-analysis of the five included studies indicated no statistically significant difference in prostate cancer-specific mortality between men randomised to the screening and control groups (risk ratio (RR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86 to 1.17). The methodological quality of three of the studies was assessed as posing a high risk of bias. The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) and the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial were assessed as posing a low risk of bias, but provided contradicting results. The ERSPC study reported a significant reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.95), whilst the PLCO study concluded no significant benefit (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.54). The ERSPC was the only study of the five included in this review that reported a significant reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality, in a pre-specified subgroup of men aged 55 to 69 years of age. Sensitivity analysis for overall risk of bias indicated no significant difference in prostate cancer-specific mortality when referring to the meta analysis of only the ERSPC and PLCO trial data (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.30). Subgroup analyses indicated that prostate cancer-specific mortality was not affected by the age at which participants were screened. Meta-analysis of four studies investigating all-cause mortality did not determine any significant differences between men randomised to screening or control (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.03). A diagnosis of prostate cancer was significantly greater in men randomised to screening compared to those randomised to control (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.65). Localised prostate cancer was more commonly diagnosed in men randomised to screening (RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.70), whilst the proportion of men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer was significantly lower in the screening group compared to the men serving as controls (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.87). Screening resulted in a range of harms that can be considered minor to major in severity and duration. Common minor harms from screening include bleeding, bruising and short-term anxiety. Common major harms include overdiagnosis and overtreatment, including infection, blood loss requiring transfusion, pneumonia, erectile dysfunction, and incontinence. Harms of screening included false-positive results for the PSA test and overdiagnosis (up to 50% in the ERSPC study). Adverse events associated with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsies included infection, bleeding and pain. No deaths were attributed to any biopsy procedure. None of the studies provided detailed assessment of the effect of screening on quality of life or provided a comprehensive assessment of resource utilization associated with screening (although preliminary analyses were reported).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Prostate cancer screening did not significantly decrease prostate cancer-specific mortality in a combined meta-analysis of five RCTs. Only one study (ERSPC) reported a 21% significant reduction of prostate cancer-specific mortality in a pre-specified subgroup of men aged 55 to 69 years. Pooled data currently demonstrates no significant reduction in prostate cancer-specific and overall mortality. Harms associated with PSA-based screening and subsequent diagnostic evaluations are frequent, and moderate in severity. Overdiagnosis and overtreatment are common and are associated with treatment-related harms. Men should be informed of this and the demonstrated adverse effects when they are deciding whether or not to undertake screening for prostate cancer. Any reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality may take up to 10 years to accrue; therefore, men who have a life expectancy less than 10 to 15 years should be informed that screening for prostate cancer is unlikely to be beneficial. No studies examined the independent role of screening by DRE.