Prostate Cancer Screening

Bisphenol A promote the cell proliferation and invasion ability of prostate cancer cells via regulating the androgen receptor

A synthetic organic substance called bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make polyester, epoxy resin, polyacrylate, and polycarbonate plastic. BPA exposure on a regular basis has increased the risk of developing cancer. Recent research has shown that there is a strong link between BPA exposure and a number of malignancies. We want to investigate any connections between BPA and prostate cancer in this work. The scores of bisphenols in the prostate cancer cohort were obtained using the ssGSEA algorithm. The analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment was used to investigate probable pathways that are closely related to the genes tied to BPA. The BPA-based risk model was built using regression analysis. Additionally, the molecular docking method was employed to assess BPA's capacity to attach to important genes. Finally, we were able to successfully get the BPA cohort ratings for prostate cancer patients. Additionally, the KEGG enrichment study showed that of the malignancies linked to BPA, prostate cancer is the most highly enriched. In a group of men with prostate cancer, the BPA-related prognostic prediction model exhibits good predictive value. The BPA demonstrated strong and efficient binding to the androgen receptor, according to the molecular docking studies. According to cell proliferation and invasion experiments, exposing prostate cancer cells to BPA at a dosage of 10-7 uM could greatly enhance their ability to proliferate and invade.

Recent Trends in Biosensing and Diagnostic Methods for Novel Cancer Biomarkers

Cancer is one of the major public health issues in the world. It has become the second leading cause of death, with approximately 75% of cancer deaths transpiring in low- or middle-income countries. It causes a heavy global economic cost estimated at more than a trillion dollars per year. The most common cancers are breast, colon, rectum, prostate, and lung cancers. Many of these cancers can be treated effectively and cured if detected at the primary stage. Nowadays, around 50% of cancers are detected at late stages, leading to serious health complications and death. Early diagnosis of cancer diseases substantially increases the efficient treatment and high chances of survival. Biosensors are one of the potential screening methodologies useful in the early screening of cancer biomarkers. This review summarizes the recent findings about novel cancer biomarkers and their advantages over traditional biomarkers, and novel biosensing and diagnostic methods for them; thus, this review may be helpful in the early recognition and monitoring of treatment response of various human cancers.

A systematic review on the association between ovarian and prostate cancer with <I>BRCA1</I> and <I>BRCA2</I> gene

Background. BRCA1 and BRCA2 were discussed as the basis of inherited adenocarcinoma and breast and ovarian malignancy. Ovarian cancer is uncommon in women below 40 years of age, and prostate cancer mainly occurs in older men cause 90 % in those above sixty-fve.

Objective. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ovarian and prostate cancer with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Material and Methods. The ovarian and prostate cancer mechanism is discussed in detail, and their preventive measures with screening techniques are also demonstrated. This systematic review collected the related articles from online databases using the key terms ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, BRCA genes, mutation, polymorphism, carcinoma, sarcoma, and genetic association.

Results. Based on the obtained information, it is found that the BRCA genes are highly associated with prostate cancer in men, and in women, it is significantly linked with breast cancer than ovarian cancer.

Conclusion. Therefore, early diagnosis and genetic testing for BRCA1&BRCA2 genes in both men and women are necessary. In some cases, these genes might even cause different types of cancer like pancreatic cancers. Identifying individuals with tumour-HRD through mutations in the homologous repair pathway and determining this gene expression is essential to improve treatment techniques developed during the previous decade and rapidly make their way into clinical trials practice. However, the safe introduction of these medicines into everyday practice will require a thorough understanding of treatment targets and associated adverse effects. 

MRI determined prostate volume and the incidence of prostate cancer on MRI-fusion biopsy: a systemic review of reported data for the last 20 years

PURPOSE

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a precise, systemic and advantageous imaging technique when compared to transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) which is very operator dependent. The negative correlation between prostate volume and the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) obtained by TRUS biopsy has been well documented in the literature. The purpose of this systemic review is analyzing the reported MRI-fusion study results on prostate biopsies regarding any correlation between prostate volume and the incidence of PCa.

METHODS

After defining the inclusion and exclusion criteria an in-depth review were performed between 01.01.2000 and 02.08.2022 using the PubMed database and applying the "PRISMA" guidelines.

RESULTS

Twelve studies qualified, and all showed an inverse/negative relationship between prostate volume and incidence of PCa. Sample sizes ranged from 33 to 2767 patients in single and multi-institutional studies. All studies showed a statistically significant inverse relationship with a p value < 0.05. The graph summarizing all of studies and using Fisher's method revealed a highly significant combined p level of 0.00001. Additionally, not one single study was found showing the contrary (a positive correlation between prostate size and the incidence of PCa).

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first systemic review of reported MRI-Fusion data on the incidence of PCa in correlation with prostate volume. This MRI review confirms previous TRUS-biopsy studies which demonstrated an inverse relationship between prostate volume and the incidence of PCa, and thus further supports the hypothesis that large prostates size may be protective against PCa when compared to smaller prostates.

Design and Implementation of Taizhou Integrated Prostate Screening

A community-based prostate cancer screening program was conducted to assess the morbidity and associated factors for prostate cancer among the subpopulation of men aged ≥50 years in Taizhou, China. Taizhou Integrated Prostate Screening (TIPS) is a large, observational, population-based study of prostate cancer screening data based on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations. A pilot census of all male residents aged 50 years or older was conducted in Luqiao District, one of the field sites of the TIPS cohort in the city of Taizhou, Zhejiang. The interviewer-administered questionnaire evaluated demographic characteristics and environmental exposure factors. A total of 1,806 out of 3,516 participants completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of PSA ≥4 ng/mL was 11.5%, and included participants at low risk (9.2%), moderate risk (1.7%), and high risk (0.6%). Participants aged 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years had a 2.7-fold, 4.2-fold, and 6.5-fold higher risk of elevated PSA, respectively, in comparison with those aged 50 to 59 years (p < .001). Eighteen patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer, of whom 11 (61.1%) underwent radical surgery. This community-based PSA screening program indicated the results for early detection of prostate cancer among men aged ≥50 years. Early screening and appropriate clinical therapy for the management of prostate cancer are essential in this subpopulation.

A Mini-Review of Flavone Isomers Apigenin and Genistein in Prostate Cancer Treatment

The initial responses to standard chemotherapies among prostate cancer (PCa) patients are usually significant, while most of them will finally develop drug resistance, rendering them with limited therapies. To discover new regimens for the treatment of PCa including resistant PCa, natural products, the richest source of bioactive compounds, can serve as a library for screening and identifying promising candidates, and flavones such as apigenin and genistein have been used in lab and clinical trials for treating PCa over decades. In this mini-review, we take a look into the progress of apigenin and genistein, which are isomers, in treating PCa in the past decade. While possessing very similar structure, these two isomers can both target the same signaling pathways; they also are found to work differently in PCa cells. Given that more combinations are being developed and tested, genistein appears to be the more promising option to be approved. The anticancer efficacies of these two flavones can be confirmed by in-vitro and in-vivo studies, and their applications remain to be validated in clinical trials. Information gained in this work may provide important information for new drug development and the potential application of apigenin and genistein in treating PCa.

Diagnostic value of integrated 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI Compared with that of Biparametric MRI for the detection of Prostate Cancer

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Any Correlation Between Prostate Volume and Incidence of Prostate Cancer: A Review of Reported Data for the Last Thirty Years

PURPOSE

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer in men worldwide and more than 80% of men with PCa also have histo-anatomical findings of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). It is well documented that BPH develops in the transition zone (TZ), whereas 80-85% of PCa originates in the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate. Possible causal links between both disease entities are controversially discussed in the current literature. Some studies have reported that larger prostates have a decreased incidence of PCa compared to smaller prostates. The purpose of this systematic review is to comprehensively summarize studies analyzing any association between prostate gland volume and incidence of PCa.

METHODS

A thorough literature review was performed between 01.01.1990 through 02.28.2020 using PubMed and applying the "PRISMA" guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined.

RESULTS

Our systematic review found 41 articles reporting an inverse (negative) relationship between prostate gland volume and incidence of prostate cancer. Sample sizes ranged from 114 to 6692 patients in these single institutional and multi-institutional studies. Thirty-nine (95%) of the 41 articles showed a statistically significant inverse relationship. In our search, no study was found showing a positive correlation between BPH size and the incidence of PCa.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on the important clinical question of interaction between prostate size and the incidence of PCa. The results are demonstrating an inverse relationship, and therefore reveal strong evidence that large prostates may be protective of PCa when compared to smaller prostates.

Body mass index in relation to prostate-specific antigen-related parameters

Background

Only a few previous studies conducted to assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) related parameters have taken prostate volume (PV) and blood volume (BV) into consideration. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between BMI and parameters of PSA concentrations in Chinese adult men.

Methods

A total of 86,912 men who have received annual physical examination at the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2018 were included in this study. Linear regression models were performed to assess the relationship between BMI, PV, BV and PSA, and analyze the correlation between BMI and PSA, PSA density and PSA mass.

Results

The univariable linear regression showed that PV, BV, systolic pressure (SBP), pulse, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and age were significantly associated with PSA level (P < 0.05). The multivariate linear regression demonstrated that PV, BV, FBG and age were significantly associated with PSA level (P < 0.05). WHR and BMI is negatively associated with PSA and PSA density (P < 0.05), and no statistically significant association was found between PSA mass and WHR and (P = 0.268) or BMI (P = 0.608).

Conclusions

The findings of this large-sample, hospital-based study in China indicate that PV was positively associated with serum PSA concentrations, while BMI and BV were inversely related with PSA levels. PSA mass can be used to estimate the PSA concentration without being affected by obesity in Chinese men.

Pain Biomarkers in Cancer: An Overview

BACKGROUND

Pain is a common symptom in oncologic patients and its management is generally guided with reference to pain individually perceived by patients and expressed through self-reported scales. However, the utility of these tools is limited as it strongly depends on patients' opinions. For this reason, more objective instruments are desirable.

OBJECTIVE

In this overview, scientific articles indicating potential markers to be used for pain management in cancer were collected and discussed.

METHODS

Research was performed on principal electronic scientific databases by using the words "pain", "cancer", "markers" and "biomarkers" as the main keywords, and findings describing potential biomarkers for the management of cancer pain were reported.

RESULTS

Studies on pain markers not specific for cancer typology (inflammatory, genetic markers predicting response to analgesic drugs, neuroimaging markers) and pain markers for specific types of cancer (bone cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, cancer in pediatrics) have been presented and commented on.

CONCLUSION

This overview supports the view of the involvement of inflammatory mediators in the mechanisms underlying cancer pain. Only a small amount of data from research up till today is available on markers that can help in the management of pain, except for pro-inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory indexes such as C-reactive protein (CRP). However, biomarkers are a promising strategy useful to predict pain intensity and to objectively quantify analgesic response in guiding decisions regarding individual-tailored treatments for cancer patients.

Imaging and Management of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common noncutaneous malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer related death in the United States. Men with clinical suspicion of PCa undergo tissue sampling and based on features including the Gleason score, Prostate Specific antigen (PSA) levels and clinical tumor (T) stage, patients are risk stratified into 6 major groups based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. This forms the basis for deciding imaging and management. Active surveillance is the preferred approach for less aggressive tumors. Surgery or radiation +/- androgen deprivation therapy continue to be the primary treatment options for localized disease. Imaging plays a critical role in the diagnosis, staging and management of PCa. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is currently the imaging modality of choice for locoregional staging. MRI, computed tomography and bone scan remain the preferred modalities for evaluation of nodal, soft tissue, and bone metastases, respectively. Advanced positron emission tomography imaging using novel radiotracers are being developed but are not yet integrated in the diagnostic guidelines for initial staging. In this review, we will discuss the imaging and treatment algorithms based on the NCCN risk groups, describe the utility of individual modalities, review Prosate Imaging and Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) version 2.1 for the reporting of mpMRI of the prostate.

Targeting 5α-reductase with 99mTc labeled dutasteride derivatives for prostate imaging

To assess the suitability of 99mTc labeled 5α-reductase (5α-Rds) inhibitors for non-invasive targeting of prostate cancer (PCa) using Male Sprague Dawely Rat (MSDR) model. In this work, dutasteride (Cpd-1) a 5α-Rds inhibitor was derivatized to its dithiocarbamate analogue (Cpd-2) for subsequent synthesis of 99mTc(CO)3-dutasteride dithiocarbamate (Cpd-3) using tricarbonyl technique. To determine the structure of Cpd-3, for the first time a reference Re(CO)3-dutasteride dithiocarbamate (Cpd-4) was synthesized and characterized with NMR, ESIMS, HPLC and elemental analysis. HPLC was used to establish the identity of Cpd-3 using Cpd-4 as a reference standard. The suitability of Cpd-3 as a new 5α-Rds targeting agent was investigated, both in vitro and vivo. The Cpd-3 has shown ≥98 % in vitro stability at room temperature and was remained ≥90 % stable up to 6 h. In serum Cpd-3 has revealed an analogous behavior with a small decrease in stability after 16 h. High uptake (26.25 ± 1.10 %, after 4 h of i.v.) of Cpd-3 was observed in the prostate (target tissue) of MSDR model with reasonably good target to non-target ratio. Blocking the target site with excess Cpd-2 considerably decreased the uptake of Cpd-3 to 4.10 ± 0.75 % in PCa. High in vitro stability in saline and serum and in vivo uptake in prostate of MSDR model plausibly attracts the opportunity of using Cpd-3 as a novel radiopharmaceutical for non invasive targeting of prostate.

Informed decision-making based on a leaflet in the context of prostate cancer screening

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess to what extent men make informed choices in the context of prostate cancer screening and how written material contributes to that process.

METHODS

We developed a leaflet describing prostate cancer screening, and a questionnaire consisting of knowledge, attitude, and intended screening uptake components to assess informed decision-making. The leaflet and questionnaire were pilot-tested among men of the target population, adapted accordingly, and sent to 761 members of an online research panel. We operationalized whether the leaflet was read as spending one minute on the leaflet page and by a self-reported answer of respondents.

RESULTS

The response rate was 66% (501/761). The group who read the leaflet (n = 342) correctly answered a knowledge item significantly more often (10.9 versus 8.8; p < 0.001) than those who did not read the leaflet (n = 159), and made more informed choices (73% versus 56%; p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in attitude and intended screening uptake between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Having read the leaflet could be one of the factors associated with increased levels of knowledge and informed decision-making.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The results of this study showed that increasing knowledge and supporting informed decision-making with written material are feasible in prostate cancer screening.