Correlation of histological inflammation in needle biopsy specimens with serum prostate- specific antigen levels in men with negative biopsy for prostate cancer

Predictive values and relationships of serum PSA levels, delta neutrophil index, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and other hematological parameters in patients with acute prostatitis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive values and relationships of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, delta neutrophil index (DNI), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and other hematological parameters in patients diagnosed with acute prostatitis.

METHODS

Serum PSA levels and hemogram parameters of patients diagnosed with acute prostatitis were retrospectively analyzed. Healthy patients of the same age group were assigned to the control group. WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, thrombocyte (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), NLR, and DNI were determined. Serum total PSA and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also assessed.

RESULTS

Total PSA levels (3.48 [1.11-6.66]) in the acute prostatitis (AP) group were significantly higher than those of healthy men (0.82 [0.47-1.39]) (p < 0.001). Total CRP levels (3.88 [1.50-22.03]) in the AP group were significantly higher than those in healthy men (1.15 [0.89-2.00]) (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of PSA at a cutoff value of 1.52 were 68.4% and 79.7%, respectively. The NLR value in the AP group was 2.62 (1.87-4.42), compared to 1.63 (1.18-2.20) in the healthy group (p < 0.001). Differences in WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were also statistically significant (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in PLT, PCT, or DNI values. Significant positive correlations were observed between PSA, CRP, and DNI values (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the usefulness of NLR, PSA, CRP, and WBC as predictors of acute prostatitis. NLR is a simple, inexpensive inflammation parameter that correlates well with CRP levels.

Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer and High-Grade Prostate Cancer Using Multiparametric Ultrasonography and Serological Examination

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of multiparametric ultrasonography (mpUS) combined with serological examination, as a non-invasive method, in detecting prostate cancer (PCa) or high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa) respectively.

METHODS

A cohort of 245 individuals with clinically suspected PCa were enrolled. All subjects underwent a comprehensive evaluation, including basic data collection, serological testing, mpUS and prostate biopsy. Random Forest (RF) models were developed, and the mean area under the curve (AUC) in 100 cross-validations was used to assess the performance in distinguishing PCa from HGPCa.

RESULTS

mpUS features showed significant differences (p < 0.001) between the PCa and non-PCa groups, as well as between the HGPCa and low-grade prostate cancer (LGPCa) groups including prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), transrectal real-time elastography (TRTE) and intensity difference (ID). The RF model, based on these features, demonstrated an excellent discriminative ability for PCa with a mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.896. Additionally, another model incorporating free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA) and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) achieved a high accuracy in predicting HGPCa with a mean AUC of 0.830. The nomogram derived from these models exhibited excellent individualized prediction of PCa and HGPCa.

CONCLUSION

The RF models incorporating mpUS and serological variables achieved satisfactory accuracies in predicting PCa and HGPCa.

Nur77 Serves as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker That Correlates with Immune Infiltration and May Act as a Good Target for Prostate adenocarcinoma

Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the most frequent malignancy, and is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in men. Thus, new prognostic biomarkers and drug targets for PRAD are urgently needed. As we know, nuclear receptor Nur77 is important in cancer development and changes in the tumor microenvironment; whereas, the function of Nur77 in PRAD remains to be elucidated. The TCGA database was used to explore the Nur77 expression and its role in the prognosis of PRAD. It was shown that Nur77 was down regulated in PRAD, and low Nur77 expression was correlated with advanced clinical pathologic characteristics (high grade, histological type, age) and poor prognosis. Furthermore, key genes screening was examined by univariate Cox analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival. Additionally, Nur77 was closely related to immune infiltration and some anti-tumor immune functions. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were presented by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Therefore, the expression level of Nur77 might help predict the survival of PRAD cases, which presents a new insight and a new target for the treatment of PRAD. In vitro experiments verified that natural product malayoside targeting Nur77 exhibited significant therapeutic effects on PRAD and largely induced cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of Nur77 and its mitochondrial localization. Taken together, Nur77 is a prognostic biomarker for patients with PRAD, which may refresh the profound understanding of PRAD individualized treatment.

The influence of prostate volume on clinical parameters in prostate cancer screening

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic significance of two new and a few clinical markers for prostate cancer (PCa) at various prostate volumes (PV).

METHODS

The study subjects were divided into two groups. Among them, there were 70 cases in the PV ≤30 ml group (benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]: 32 cases, PCa: 38 cases) and 372 cases in the PV > 30 ml group (BPH: 277 cases, PCa: 95 cases). SPSS 26.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 were used to construct their receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for diagnosing PCa and calculating their area under the ROC curve (AUC).

RESULTS

In the PV ≤30 ml group, the diagnostic parameters based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) had a decreased diagnostic significance for PCa. In the PV > 30 ml group, PSAD (AUC = 0.709), AVR (AVR = Age/PV, AUC = 0.742), and A-PSAD (A-PSAD = Age×PSA/PV, AUC = 0.736) exhibited moderate diagnostic significance for PCa, which was better than PSA-AV (AUC = 0.672), free PSA (FPSA, AUC = 0.509), total PSA (TPSA, AUC = 0.563), (F/T) PSA (AUC = 0.540), and (F/T)/PSAD (AUC = 0.663). Compared with AVR, A-PSAD exhibited similar diagnostic significance for PCa, but higher than PSA density (PSAD).

CONCLUSIONS

Choosing appropriate indicators for different PVs could contribute to the early screening and diagnosis of PCa. The difference in the diagnostic value of two new indicators (A-PSAD and AVR), and PSAD for PCa may require further validation by increasing the sample size.

The interplay of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) expression and M2 macrophages during prostate carcinogenesis

M2 (tumor-supportive) macrophages may upregulate growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), which is highly expressed in prostate tumors, but the combined utility of these markers as prognostic biomarkers are unclear. We retrospectively studied 90 prostate cancer cases that underwent radical prostatectomy as their primary treatment and were followed for biochemical recurrence (BCR). These cases also had a benign prostate biopsy at least 1 year or more before their prostate cancer surgery. Using computer algorithms to analyze digitalized immunohistochemically stained slides, GDF15 expression and the presence of M2 macrophages based on the relative density of CD204- and CD68-positive macrophages were measured in prostate: (i) benign biopsy, (ii) cancer and (iii) tumor-adjacent benign (TAB) tissue. Both M2 macrophages (P = 0.0004) and GDF15 (P < 0.0001) showed significant inter-region expression differences. Based on a Cox proportional hazards model, GDF15 expression was not associated with BCR but, in men where GDF15 expression differences between cancer and TAB were highest, the risk of BCR was significantly reduced (hazard ratio = 0.26; 95% confidence interval = 0.09-0.94). In addition, cases with high levels of M2 macrophages in prostate cancer had almost a 5-fold increased risk of BCR (P = 0.01). Expression of GDF15 in prostate TAB was associated with M2 macrophage levels in both prostate cancer and TAB and appeared to moderate M2-macrophage-associated BCR risk. In summary, the relationship of GDF15 expression and CD204-positive M2 macrophage levels is different in a prostate tumor environment compared with an earlier benign biopsy and, collectively, these markers may predict aggressive disease.

Growth and differentiation factor 15 and NF-κB expression in benign prostatic biopsies and risk of subsequent prostate cancer detection

Growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15), also known as macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC‐1), may act as both a tumor suppressor and promotor and, by regulating NF‐κB and macrophage signaling, promote early prostate carcinogenesis. To determine whether expression of these two inflammation‐related proteins affect prostate cancer susceptibility, dual immunostaining of benign prostate biopsies for GDF‐15 and NF‐κB was done in a study of 503 case‐control pairs matched on date, age, and race, nested within a historical cohort of 10,478 men. GDF‐15 and NF‐κB expression levels were positively correlated (r = 0.39; p < 0.0001), and both were significantly lower in African American (AA) compared with White men. In adjusted models that included both markers, the odds ratio (OR) for NF‐κB expression was statistically significant, OR =0.87; p = 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.77–0.99, while GDF‐15 expression was associated with a nominally increased risk, OR =1.06; p = 0.27; 95% CI =0.96–1.17. When modeling expression levels by quartiles, the highest quartile of NF‐κB expression was associated with almost a fifty percent reduction in prostate cancer risk (OR =0.51; p = 0.03; 95% CI =0.29–0.92). In stratified models, NF‐κB had the strongest negative association with prostate cancer in non‐aggressive cases (p = 0.03), older men (p = 0.03), and in case‐control pairs with longer follow‐up (p = 0.02). Risk associated with GDF‐15 expression was best fit using nonlinear regression modeling where both first (p = 0.02) and second (p = 0.03) order GDF‐15 risk terms were associated with significantly increased risk. This modeling approach also revealed significantly increased risk associated with GDF‐15 expression for subsamples defined by AA race, aggressive disease, younger age, and in case‐control pairs with longer follow‐up. Therefore, although positively correlated in benign prostatic biopsies, NF‐κB and GDF‐15 expression appear to exert opposite effects on risk of prostate tumor development.

How Prostate Cancer Cells Use Strategy Instead of Brute Force to Achieve Metastasis

Akin to many other cancers, metastasis is the predominant cause of lethality in prostate cancer (PCa). Research in the past decade or so has revealed that although metastatic manifestation is a multi-step and complex process that is orchestrated by distinct cellular and molecular mechanisms, the process in itself is an extremely inefficient one. It is now becoming increasingly evident that PCa cells employ a plethora of strategies to make the most of this inefficient process. These strategies include priming the metastatic sites ahead of colonization, devising ways to metastasize to specific organs, outsmarting the host defense surveillance, lying in a dormant state at the metastatic site for prolonged periods, and widespread reprogramming of the gene expression to suit their needs. Based on established, recent, and evolving lines of research, this review is an attempt to understand PCa metastasis from the perspective of military combat, wherein strategic maneuvering instead of brute force often plays a decisive role in the outcome.

Significant Diagnostic Value of Free-Serum PSA (FPSA)/Prostate-Specific Antigen Density (PSAD) and (F/T)/PSAD for Prostate Cancer of the Chinese Population in a Single Institution

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of (F/T)/PSAD for prostate cancer detection in the Chinese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were collected retrospectively from patients with prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia from July 2009 to September 2014. SPSS 19.0 software was used for the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and calculating sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), respectively. Comparison of the area under ROC (AUC) was performed using the MedCalc v. 10.4.7.0 software. RESULTS A total of 660 patients (including 251 patients with prostate cancer and 409 patients with prostatic hyperplasia) were included. Prostate volume (PV), prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), free-serum PSA (FPSA)/PSAD, and free-to-total PSA (F/T)/PSAD had similar AUC (P>0.05), and had significantly higher AUC (P<0.001) than F/T, total-serum PSA (TPSA), and free-serum PSA (FPSA). Based on the optimal cutoff value, the sensitivity of (F/T)/PSAD and FPSA/PSAD was similar (P>0.05), and significantly higher than the PV and PSAD (P<0.05). The logistic regression model using a combination of age, FPSA, PV, PSAD, FPSA/PSAD, and (F/T)/PSAD showed higher AUC than each one alone (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS (F/T)/PSAD can be used as a predictor for prostate cancer in the Chinese population aged >50 years and has a significantly lower false negative rate than PSAD and PV with a cutoff value of ≤0.731. A new parameter, FPSA/PSAD, has similar diagnostic accuracy comparable to (F/T)/PSAD. The diagnostic value of a combination of age, FPSA, PV, PSAD, FPSA/PSAD, and (F/T)/PSAD needs further investigation.

The effect of prostatic inflammation on clinical outcomes in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia

Background

To investigate the effect of asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing trans urethral resection of prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials and methods

A total of 514 patients were enrolled in the study. Clinical parameters and pathological results were compared before and one year after surgery.

Results

Of the patients 310 were diagnosed with purely benign prostatic hyperplasia and the others were diagnosed with both prostatic inflamation (cathegory IV) and benign prostatic hyperplasia. No statistical significance was observed between two groups among the parameters including age, prostate volume and post voiding residue (P > 0.05). Patients with prostate inflammation presented higher preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score and lower Qmax values when compared to those without inflammation before trans urethral resection of prostate.

Conclusion

Asymptomatic prostate inflammation can lead to worsen lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary flow rate in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Furthermore, the improvement of the complaints after surgery was worse in patients with asymptomatic prostate inflammation. Further well designed prospective-randomised studies are needed to support our findings.

Prostatic Calculi: Do They Matter?

INTRODUCTION

Prostatic calculi (PC) are frequently detected at computed tomography or ultrasound in men attending the health center or the urology outpatient department. PC have attracted more attention from urologists, but the clinical significance of PC is unknown.

AIM

To review the available literature on the effects of PC on prostatic diseases and sexual function in men.

METHODS

Relevant clinical trials were identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Results were classified, summarized, and analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Transabdominal and rectal ultrasonography; urodynamics analysis; International Prostate Symptom Score; pathologic examination of prostatic tissue; prostate-specific antigen; and expressed prostatic secretion.

RESULTS

PC can not only prolong the duration of bothersome symptoms but also decrease the cure rate of antibacterial therapy in patients with chronic prostatitis. Patients with PC usually have more severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and some studies reported that moderate to marked PC are a predisposing factor for moderate to severe LUTS. Studies also reported that the serum level prostate-specific antigen is not influenced by PC. In addition, the presence of PC is not associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. However, the correlation between PC in the peripheral zone and prostate cancer is statistically significant. In addition, the association between PC and Gleason scores is controversial. Some novel studies suggested that PC might play an important role in sexual impairment in middle-age men or men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis. Recently, PC were found to increase the incidence of severe LUTS, urinary retention, and hematospermia after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

CONCLUSION

PC can aggravate LUTS, chronic prostatitis, and sexual dysfunction in men, but the association between PC and prostate cancer is still controversial. Cao J-J, Huang W, Wu H-S, et al. Prostatic Calculi: Do They Matter? Sex Med Rev 2018;6:482-491.

Association between systemic inflammation and serum prostate-specific antigen in a healthy Korean population

OBJECTIVE

Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) may be elevated in healthy men with systemic inflammation. We aimed to investigate the association between systemic inflammation markers and serum PSA in a healthy Korean population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cohort of 20,151 healthy native Korean men without prostate disease between the ages of 40 and 65 years who underwent medical checkups were studied from January 2007 to December 2013. Serum total PSA and serum C-reactive protein concentrations, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were determined. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated. We checked the correlation between systemic inflammation markers and PSA.

RESULTS

Data obtained from 18,800 healthy men were analyzed. The mean age of the study subjects was 50.72±7.62 years and the mean NLR was 1.764±0.804. Correlation analysis after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI) revealed that neutrophil count (coefficient = 0.028, p value <0.001), and NLR (coefficient = 0.027, p value <0.001) correlated with PSA. Multivariate analysis using the full model revealed that age, neutrophil count and NLR were positively correlated with PSA (p<0.001, 0.001, and 0.043 respectively). Multivariate analysis using a stepwise model revealed that age, neutrophil count and NLR were positively correlated with PSA (p<0.001, 0.001, and 0.040, respectively) and BMI was negatively correlated with PSA (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Systemic inflammation markers are useful with a serum PSA in a healthy Korean population. NLR in particular is significantly associated with serum PSA.

Regulation of prostate cancer progression by the tumor microenvironment

Prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men in North America, and despite recent advances in treatment patients with metastatic disease continue to have poor five-year survival rates. Recent studies in prostate cancer have revealed the critical role of the tumor microenvironment in the initiation and progression to advanced disease. Experimental data have uncovered a reciprocal relationship between the cells in the microenvironment and malignant tumor cells in which early changes in normal tissue microenvironment can promote tumorigenesis and in turn tumor cells can promote further pro-tumor changes in the microenvironment. In the tumor microenvironment, the presence of persistent immune infiltrates contributes to the recruitment and reprogramming of other non-immune stromal cells including cancer-associated fibroblasts and a unique recently identified population of metastasis-initiating cells (MICs). These MICs, which can also be found as part of the circulating tumor cell (CTC) population in PC patients, promote cancer cell transformation, enhance metastatic potential and confer therapeutic resistance. MICs act can on other cells within the tumor microenvironment in part by secreting exosomes that reprogram adjacent stromal cells to create a more favorable tumor microenvironment to support continued cancer growth and progression. We review here the current data on the intricate relationship between inflammation, reactive stroma, tumor cells and disease progression in prostate cancer.

Prostate health index and prostate cancer gene 3 score but not percent-free Prostate Specific Antigen have a predictive role in differentiating histological prostatitis from PCa and other nonneoplastic lesions (BPH and HG-PIN) at repeat biopsy

OBJECTIVE

To determine if prostate health index (PHI), prostate cancer antigen gene 3 (PCA3) score, and percentage of free prostate-specific antigen (%fPSA) may be used to differentiate asymptomatic acute and chronic prostatitis from prostate cancer (PCa), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN) in patients with elevated PSA levels and negative findings on digital rectal examination at repeat biopsy (re-Bx).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 252 patients were enrolled, undergoing PHI, PCA3 score, and %fPSA assessments before re-Bx. We used 3 multivariate logistic regression models to test the PHI, PCA3 score, and %fPSA as risk factors for prostatitis vs. PCa, vs. BPH, and vs. HG-PIN. All the analyses were performed for the whole patient cohort and for the "gray zone" of PSA (4-10ng/ml) cohort (171 individuals).

RESULTS

Of the 252 patients, 43 (17.1%) had diagnosis of PCa. The median PHI was significantly different between men with a negative biopsy and those with a positive biopsy (34.9 vs. 48.1, P<0.001), as for the PCA3 score (24 vs. 54, P<0.001) and %fPSA (11.8% vs. 15.8%, P = 0.012). The net benefit of using PCA3 and PHI to differentiate prostatitis and PCa was moderate, although it extended to a good range of threshold probabilities (40%-100%), whereas that from using %fPSA was negligible: this pattern was reported for the whole population as for the "gray zone" PSA cohort.

CONCLUSION

In front of a good diagnostic performance of all the 3 biomarkers in distinguishing negative biopsy vs. positive biopsy, the clinical benefit of using the PCA3 score and PHI to estimate prostatitis vs. PCa was comparable. PHI was the only determinant for prostatitis vs. BPH, whereas no biomarkers could differentiate prostate inflammation from HG-PIN.

Does PSA reduction after antibiotic therapy permits postpone prostate biopsy in asymptomatic men with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/mL?

Purpose

We investigated the effect of antibiotics on PSA in asymptomatic patients with mild PSA elevation.

Materials and Methods

We prospectively evaluated, in a non-randomized design, 106 asymptomatic patients with PSA of 4-10ng/mL, with a negative digital rectal examination and with no urinary tract infection evidence for 2 years. Patients were divided into two groups: those treated with antibiotics for 3 weeks (G1) and those who were not treated (G2). PSA was taken six weeks after and prostate biopsy was performed in all patients.

Results

PCa was diagnosed in 25 of 106 patients (23.6%): 16 (25.0%) in G1 and 9 (21.4%) in G2 (p>0.05). PSA normalization was experienced in 24.5%. In G1, PSA returned to <4ng/mL in 15 (23.4%) patients compared to 11 (26%) patients in G2. In the patients with a positive biopsy, no significant variation was noted in PSA, fPSA, %fPSA and DPSA after antibiotic treatment. A significantly lower cancer detection rate was noted with decreased PSA, fPSA, and DPSA after antibiotic use. A PSA reduction rate of ≥10% occurred in 58.5%, and this was similar in both G1 and G2 groups. The sensibility, specificity and accuracy of PSA reduction of ≥10% were 31%, 23% and 25%, respectively.

Conclusion

Empirical antibiotic therapy in asymptomatic male patients is not related to PSA reduction. The greater than 10% PSA reduction after antibiotic in this population cannot postpone prostate biopsy.

Intraprostatic inflammation is positively associated with serum PSA in men with PSA <4 ng ml(-1), normal DRE and negative for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Biopsies performed for elevated serum PSA often show inflammatory infiltrates. However, the influence of intraprostatic inflammation on serum PSA in men without biopsy indication and negative for prostate cancer has not been described in detail.

METHODS

We studied 224 men in the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) who underwent end-of-study biopsy per trial protocol, had PSA <4 ng ml(-1), normal digital rectal examination and a biopsy negative for cancer. We analyzed data from hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides containing a mean of three biopsy cores. Inflammation measures included the extent (percentage of tissue area with inflammation) and intensity (product of scores for extent and grade) of total, acute and chronic inflammation in the entire tissue area examined, and by tissue compartment. We calculated median measures of inflammation by prebiopsy serum PSA tertile (>0 to ≤0.8, >0.8 to ≤1.5 and >1.5 to <4.0 ng ml(-1)). We estimated the association between percentage of tissue area with inflammation and natural logarithm of PSA using linear regression adjusting for age at biopsy.

RESULTS

Median percentage of tissue area with inflammation increased from 2 to 5 to 9.5% across PSA tertiles (P-trend <0.0001). For every 5% increase in tissue area with inflammation, log PSA increased by 0.061 ng ml(-1) (P=0.0002). Median extent and intensity scores increased across PSA tertiles in luminal and intraepithelial compartments for acute inflammation and in stromal and intraepithelial compartments for chronic inflammation (all P-trend ≤0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In men without clinical suspicion of prostate cancer, greater overall inflammation, luminal and intraepithelial acute inflammation and stromal and intraepithelial chronic inflammation were associated with higher serum PSA.

Inflammation and prostate cancer: friends or foe?

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy diagnosed in men. Moving from histological observations since a long time, it has been recognized that innate and adaptive immunity actively participates in the pathogenesis, surveillance, and progression of prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A PubMed and Web of Science databases search was performed for studies providing evidence on the roles of the innate and adaptive immunity during the development and progression of prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

There are growing evidences that chronic inflammation is involved in the regulation of cellular events in prostate carcinogenesis, including disruption of the immune response and regulation of the tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the role played by the innate and adaptive immune system in the local progression of prostate cancer, and the prognostic information that we can currently understand and exploit.

Smoking Is Associated with Acute and Chronic Prostatic Inflammation: Results from the REDUCE Study

Both anti- and proinflammatory effects of cigarette smoking have been described. As prostate inflammation is common, we hypothesized smoking could contribute to prostate inflammation. Thus, we evaluated the association of smoking status with acute and chronic inflammation within the prostate of men undergoing prostate biopsy. We retrospectively analyzed 8,190 men ages 50 to 75 years with PSA levels between 2.5 and 10 ng/mL enrolled in the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events study. Smoking status was self-defined as never, former, or current. Prostate inflammation was assessed by systematic central review blinded to smoking status. The association of smoking with inflammation in the baseline, 2-year, and 4-year biopsies was evaluated with univariable and multivariable logistic regressions. At study enrollment, 1,233 (15%), 3,203 (39%), and 3,754 (46%) men were current, former, and never smokers, respectively. Current smokers were significantly younger and had smaller prostates than former and never smokers (all P < 0.05). Former smokers were significantly heavier than current and never smokers (P < 0.001). Acute and chronic prostate inflammations were identified in 1,261 (15%) and 6,352 (78%) baseline biopsies, respectively. In univariable analysis, current smokers were more likely to have acute inflammation than former (OR, 1.35; P, 0.001) and never smokers (OR, 1.36; P, 0.001). The results were unchanged at 2- and 4-year biopsies. In contrast, current smoking was linked with chronic inflammation in the baseline biopsy, but not at 2- and 4-year biopsies. In conclusion, among men undergoing prostate biopsy, current smoking was independently associated with acute and possibly chronic prostate inflammations.

Interval from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy does not affect immediate operative outcomes for open or minimally invasive approach

Traditionally, urologists recommend an interval of at least 4 weeks after prostate biopsy before radical prostatectomy. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the interval from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy affects immediate operative outcomes, with a focus on differences in surgical approach. The study population of 1,848 radical prostatectomy patients was divided into two groups according to the surgical approach: open or minimally invasive. Open group included perineal and retropubic approach, and minimally invasive group included laparoscopic and robotic approach. The cut-off of the biopsy-to-surgery interval was 4 weeks. Positive surgical margin status, operative time and estimated blood loss were evaluated as endpoint parameters. In the open group, there were significant differences in operative time and estimated blood loss between the <4-week and ≥4-week interval subgroups, but there was no difference in positive margin rate. In the minimally invasive group, there were no differences in the three outcome parameters between the two subgroups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the biopsy-to-surgery interval was not a significant factor affecting immediate operative outcomes in both open and minimally invasive groups, with the exception of the interval ≥4 weeks as a significant factor decreasing operative time in the minimally invasive group. In conclusion, performing open or minimally invasive radical prostatectomy within 4 weeks of prostate biopsy is feasible for both approaches, and is even beneficial for minimally invasive radical prostatectomy to reduce operative time.

Effect of histological inflammation on total and free serum prostate-specific antigen values in patients without clinically detectable prostate cancer

Purpose

We are often confronted with patients in the "gray zone" (prostate-specific antigen [PSA]<10 ng/mL) whose biopsies reveal no malignancy but only inflammation. We investigated the relationship between histological inflammation and total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), and percentage of free PSA (f/tPSA) levels in patients without prostate cancer (PC).

Materials and Methods

We studied 106 men with tPSA<10 ng/mL who had undergone biopsy that was negative for PC and who had no clinical prostatitis. Inflammation observed at biopsies was scored for inflammation type in each biopsy core by use of a four-point scale and was then correlated with tPSA, fPSA, and f/tPSA.

Results

Different patterns of inflammation were found in each set of biopsies. Regression factor analysis was used to form two groups according to inflammation type: more chronic and more acute. Median tPSA, fPSA, and f/tPSA levels in the more chronic and more acute inflammation groups were 6.4 ng/mL, 1.09 ng/mL, and 15%, and 7.3 ng/mL, 0.79 ng/mL, and l2%, respectively. A significant difference was found in fPSA (p=0.003) and f/tPSA (p<0.001), whereas the difference in tPSA was not significant (p=0.200). Total PSA correlated with fPSA (r=0.4, p<0.001) but not with inflammation type (r=0.12, p>0.010). A correlation existed between inflammation type and fPSA (r=-0.31, p=0.001) and f/tPSA (r=-0.43, p<0.001) in that the fPSA and f/tPSA were lower in the group with more acute inflammation.

Conclusions

Subclinical inflammation has a significant influence on fPSA in patients with tPSA<10 ng/mL but without PC or clinical prostatitis. Subclinical inflammation is not characterized by elevated tPSA alone but also by a decreased fPSA, a tendency similar to that in PC.

Association between systemic inflammatory markers and serum prostate-specific antigen in men without prostatic disease - the 2001-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND

Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) may be elevated in otherwise healthy men; systemic inflammation has been associated with cancer. The study of systemic inflammatory markers in men without clinical prostate disease, but with elevated PSA may characterize the subgroup of men at higher risk for subsequent prostate cancer.

METHODS

We investigated the associations between systemic inflammatory markers and serum PSA in 3,164 healthy men without prostatic disease, aged >40 years, from the 2001 to 2008 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Serum total PSA levels and concentrations of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma fibrinogen, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and platelet count were recorded. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ratio and platelet-lymphocyte (PLR) ratio were calculated. PSA elevation was defined as levels equal or greater than 4 ng/ml.

RESULTS

Elevated serum PSA (194 men, 6.1% of the total), was significantly associated with plasma fibrinogen (ORmultiv  = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.09-3.25), and NLR (ORmultiv  = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03-1.26), after adjustment for age, smoking, body mass index, education, race, co-morbidities, and use of medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Markers of systemic inflammation were associated with elevated PSA in men without known prostatic disease. Future studies are needed to examine these markers' relationship with prostate cancer occurrence and progression.

Senescent remodeling of the innate and adaptive immune system in the elderly men with prostate cancer

Despite years of intensive investigation that has been made in understanding prostate cancer, it remains a major cause of death in men worldwide. Prostate cancer emerges from multiple alterations that induce changes in expression patterns of genes and proteins that function in networks controlling critical cellular events. Based on the exponential aging of the population and the increasing life expectancy in industrialized Western countries, prostate cancer in the elderly men is becoming a disease of increasing significance. Aging is a progressive degenerative process strictly integrated with inflammation. Several theories have been proposed that attempt to define the role of chronic inflammation in aging including redox stress, mitochondrial damage, immunosenescence, and epigenetic modifications. Here, we review the innate and adaptive immune systems and their senescent remodeling in elderly men with prostate cancer.

Baseline prostate inflammation is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer in men undergoing repeat prostate biopsy: results from the REDUCE study

BACKGROUND

The current study was performed to evaluate whether baseline acute and chronic prostate inflammation among men with an initial negative biopsy for prostate cancer (PCa) increased the risk of subsequent PCa detection in a clinical trial with systematic biopsies.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 6238 men aged 50 years to 75 years with prostate-specific antigen levels between 2.5 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL and a prior negative biopsy in the REduction by DUtasteride of PCa Events study who completed a 2-year biopsy. PCa, acute prostate inflammation, and chronic prostate inflammation were assessed by central review. The association between inflammation in baseline prostate biopsies and positive 2-year and 4-year repeat biopsies was evaluated with the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis adjusting for baseline covariates.

RESULTS

Acute and chronic inflammation and both were detected in 46 baseline biopsies (1%), 3931 baseline biopsies (63%), and 892 baseline biopsies (14%), respectively. Acute and chronic inflammation were found to be significantly associated with each other (P<.001). Acute inflammation at baseline biopsy was associated with younger age, lower prostate-specific antigen levels, and a smaller prostate (all P<.01), whereas chronic inflammation was associated with older age and larger prostate glands (all P<0.01). At the 2-year biopsy, the prevalence of PCa was 14% (N=900 patients). On univariable and multivariable analysis, both acute and chronic inflammation were found to be significantly associated with a lower PCa risk (acute univariable: odds ratio [OR], 0.65 [P<.001] and multivariable: OR, 0.75 [P=.012] and chronic univariable: OR, 0.61 [P<.001] and multivariable: OR, 0.65 [P<.001]). At the time of 4-year biopsy, only acute inflammation was found to be associated with a lower PCa risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline acute and chronic inflammation were both found to be independently associated with a lower PCa risk. From a clinical standpoint, inflammation in negative biopsies for PCa may lower the risk of subsequent PCa detection.

Histological inflammation and risk of subsequent prostate cancer among men with initially elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration in the Finnish prostate cancer screening trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether histological signs of inflammation are associated with an increased risk of subsequent prostate cancer (PCa) in men with elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations and benign initial biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study subjects were men aged 54-67 years with an elevated PSA (≥4 ng/mL or 3-4 ng/mL and free to total PSA ratio ≤0.16 or positive digital rectal examination), but a benign biopsy result within the Finnish population-based randomised screening trial for PCa, which started in 1996. A total of 293 prostate biopsies without PCa or suspicion of malignancy from the first screening round in the Tampere centre were re-evaluated by a uropathologist to assess histological inflammation. Results of the subsequent screening rounds were obtained from the trial database and PCa diagnoses made outside the screening were obtained from the Finnish Cancer Registry. The median length of follow-up was 10.5 years. Cox regression analysis was used to assess PCa risk after the initial benign biopsy.

RESULTS

Histological inflammation was found in 66% of the biopsies. Subjects with inflammation at the biopsy had a slightly lower PCa risk in the second screening round (18 vs 27%, rate ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35-1.34) relative to men without inflammation. In further follow-up, the PCa risk remained nonsignificantly lower (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, CI 0.46-1.10; P = 0.13). The risk was not appreciably affected by adjustment for age, PSA, prostate volume and family history of PCa (HR 0.67, CI 0.42-1.07; P = 0.092).

CONCLUSIONS

Histological inflammation in a prostate biopsy among men with an initial false-positive screening test was not associated with an increased risk of subsequent PCa, but instead with a decreased risk which was of borderline significance. Inflammation in prostate biopsy is not a useful risk indicator in PCa screening.

[Repeat prostate biopsies following a first negative biopsy in a context of an elevated prostate specific antigen]

INTRODUCTION

An elevated PSA and a negative prostate biopsy (PB) can be a false negative PB that ignores a prostate cancer (PCa) or a false positive PSA not related to PCa. The objective of this study was to analyze a group of patients who had a negative first BP for a PSA superior to 4 ng/mL and at least one additional PB and to compare these cases with controls who had the diagnosis PCa from the first PB.

METHODS

Retrospective single-center study comparing patients with an elevated PSA and repeat biopsy following a first negative PB and patients with PCa diagnosed from the first PB.

RESULTS

The 63 cases were younger than the 75 controls and had more often a normal digital rectal examination. Their prostate volume was larger and their number of PSA before the first PB lower: this corresponded to a lower PSA in the second (7/64), third (6/31), fourth (3/9) and sixth (1/1) PB. Among these cases with PCa, the length of core invaded by cancer and the total length of cancer of the entire PB were smaller than controls. In 76% of cases, the Gleason score among cases was 6 or less.

CONCLUSION

PCa discovered on repeat biopsy had features of better prognosis than those of controls. We propose an algorithm for management of patients with elevated PSA and negative first PB.

Low serum neutrophil count predicts a positive prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND

Asymptomatic prostatic inflammation may cause increased PSA in some men, leading to unnecessary prostate biopsy. We investigated whether the differential white cell count could predict the result of prostate biopsy.

METHODS

Prostate needle biopsy was carried out in 323 Japanese men with elevated PSA levels or abnormal digital rectal findings. White blood cell count (WBC), differential white cell count (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes), and serum C-reactive protein level were assessed for associations with biopsy findings.

RESULTS

In all, 203 (62.1%) were positive for prostate cancer. WBC, neutrophil count, age, PSA, prostate volume, and PSA density (PSAD) were associated with the results of biopsy (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that neutrophil count, age, PSA, prostate volume and PSAD were independent predictors. When the cut-off neutrophil count was set at 2900 μl(-1), 78 of 104 men (75.0%) with a count below this value had a positive biopsy, while 125 of 219 (57.0%) men with a count above this value were positive. The area under the receiver-operator characteristics curve (AUC) for the predicted probability of a positive biopsy for prostate cancer according to the optimum logistic model was 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-0.87), while the AUC for PSA was 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.76) and that for PSAD was 0.79 (95% CI 0.74-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated neutrophil count may be a good indicator of a benign prostate biopsy. Men with a low neutrophil count and an increase of serum PSA should strongly be considered for biopsy.

Testosterone regulates tight junction proteins and influences prostatic autoimmune responses

Testosterone and inflammation have been linked to the development of common age-associated diseases affecting the prostate gland including prostate cancer, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. We hypothesized that testosterone regulates components of prostate tight junctions which serve as a barrier to inflammation, thus providing a connection between age- and treatment-associated testosterone declines and prostatic pathology. We examined the expression and distribution of tight junction proteins in prostate biospecimens from mouse models and a clinical study of chemical castration, using transcript profiling, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. We determined that low serum testosterone is associated with reduced transcript and protein levels of Claudin 4 and Claudin 8, resulting in defective tight junction ultrastructure in benign prostate glands. Expression of Claudin 4 and Claudin 8 was negatively correlated with the mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate caused by testosterone deprivation. Testosterone suppression also induced an autoimmune humoral response directed toward prostatic proteins. Testosterone supplementation in castrate mice resulted in re-expression of tight junction components in prostate epithelium and significantly reduced prostate inflammatory cell numbers. These data demonstrate that tight junction architecture in the prostate is related to changes in serum testosterone levels, and identify an androgen-regulated mechanism that potentially contributes to the development of prostate inflammation and consequent pathology.

Prostatic inflammation detected in initial biopsy specimens and urinary pyuria are predictors of negative repeat prostate biopsy

PURPOSE

Asymptomatic prostatic inflammation may cause increased prostate specific antigen in some men, leading to unnecessary repeat prostate biopsy. We determined whether histological findings of inflammation in initial biopsy specimens and/or clinical indicators of inflammation could predict the outcome of subsequent biopsy in men with a negative initial biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 105 Japanese men with increased prostate specific antigen underwent repeat prostate biopsy after initial biopsy revealed no evidence of carcinoma. Of the cases 45 (42.8%) were positive for prostate cancer at repeat biopsy. We evaluated initial biopsy specimens for evidence of inflammation by mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, serum and urinary white blood count, and C-reactive protein.

RESULTS

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltrates, urinary white blood count, patient age, prostate specific antigen at repeat biopsy, prostate volume, prostate specific antigen velocity and prostate specific antigen density were associated with the repeat biopsy outcome (p <0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, prostate specific antigen density and urinary white blood count were independent predictors of outcome. On subgroup analysis of 63 men with serum prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml before initial biopsy polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocyte inflammation, age, prostate specific antigen at repeat biopsy, prostate volume, prostate specific antigen velocity and prostate specific antigen density were associated with the outcome of repeat biopsy (p <0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltrate, prostate specific antigen density and age were independent predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, prostate specific antigen density, polymorphonuclear leukocyte inflammation in initial biopsy specimens and urinary pyuria are indicators of benign repeat biopsy. They help avoid unnecessary repeat biopsy in men with increased prostate specific antigen.

PSA levels of 4.0 - 10 ng/mL and negative digital rectal examination. Antibiotic therapy versus immediate prostate biopsy

PURPOSE

The management of mildly elevated (4.0-10.0 ng/ml) prostate specific antigen (PSA) is uncertain. Immediate prostate biopsy, antibiotic treatment, or short term monitoring PSA level for 1-3 months is still in controversy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients in a large community practice (2003 - 2007) who had PSA levels between 4.0-10 ng/mL without any further evidence of infection. Data was gathered regarding patient's age, whether standard antibiotic therapy (10-14 days of ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin) had been administered before the second PSA measurement, results of a second PSA test performed at 1- to 2-month intervals, whether a prostate biopsy was performed and its result.

RESULTS

One-hundred and thirty-five men met the study inclusion criteria with 65 (48.1%) having received antibiotics (group 1); the PSA levels decreased in 39 (60%) of which, sixteen underwent a biopsy which demonstrated prostate cancer in 4 (25%). Twenty-six (40%) patients of group 1 exhibited no decrease in PSA levels; seventeen of them underwent a biopsy that demonstrated cancer in 2 (12%). The other 70 (51.9%) patients were not treated with antibiotics (group 2); the PSA levels decreased in 42 (60%) of which, thirteen underwent a biopsy which demonstrated prostate cancer in 4 (31%). In the other 28 (40%) patients of group 2 there was no demonstrated decrease in PSA, nineteen of these subjects underwent a biopsy that demonstrated cancer in 8 (42%).

CONCLUSIONS

There appears to be no advantage for administration of antibacterial therapy with initial PSA levels between 4-10 ng/mL without overt evidence of inflammation.

Prostate cancer detection yield in repeated biopsy is independent of the diagnosis of earlier biopsies

BACKGROUND

We analyzed data gathered from initial and repeated prostate biopsies at the University Hospital in Olomouc, Czech Republic. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of repeated transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsies. We also assessed whether the result of the repeated biopsy depended on the benign diagnosis of the previous biopsy.

METHODS

From June 2006 till December 2008, the total of 794 men underwent a TRUS guided biopsy. The following parameters were recorded for each patient: age, total Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) level, free PSA level, digital rectal examination record, total prostate volume, and the histo-pathological evaluation. For patients undergoing a repeated biopsy, the histo-pathological result of the previous biopsy was also available, as well as the total number of previous biopsies and the time since the last biopsy. These data were analyzed using standard statistical methods.

RESULTS

Initial biopsy was positive for prostate cancer in 157 out of 566 men (27.7%). The total PSA level was confirmed to be a significant (P < 0.001) predictor of prostate cancer. The ratio of free PSA to total PSA (the so-called PSA index) was found to be significantly lower (P < 0.001) for patients suffering from adenocarcinoma. A total of 191 men underwent a repeated biopsy. The repeated biopsy was positive for adenocarcinoma in 39 cases (20.4%). Although this yield is lower, the significance is at the threshold (P = 0.04700). In the group of re-biopted men, total PSA level and PSA index were again significant (P = 0.0024 and P = 0.0015 respectively) predictive factors for prostate carcinoma. The diagnostic yield of repeated biopsy was assessed with respect to the most common types of the benign findings in the previous biopsy--adenomyomatous hyperplasia, inflammation, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and suspected adenocarcinoma. No significant difference in the diagnostic yield was found (P = 0.38431).

CONCLUSIONS

Total PSA level and PSA index are the most significant precursors of adenocarcinoma in both initial and repeated biopsy. The histo-pathological result of a repeated biopsy was found to be independent of the type of benign diagnosis of the previous biopsy. A substantial number of prostate cancer is diagnosed in repeated biopsies which advocates for the indication of a repeated biopsy in case of a negative result of the initial one.

Leukocytic promotion of prostate cellular proliferation

BACKGROUND

Histological evidence of pervasive inflammatory infiltrate has been noted in both benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). Cytokines known to attract particular leukocyte subsets are secreted from prostatic stroma consequent to aging and also from malignant prostate epithelium. Therefore, we hypothesized that leukocytes associated with either acute or chronic inflammation attracted to the prostate consequent to aging or tumorigenesis may promote the abnormal cellular proliferation associated with BPH and PCa.

METHODS

An in vitro system designed to mimic the human prostatic microenvironment incorporating prostatic stroma (primary and immortalized prostate stromal fibroblasts), epithelium (N15C6, BPH-1, LNCaP, and PC3 cells), and inflammatory infiltrate (HL-60 cells, HH, and Molt-3 T-lymphocytes) was developed. Modified Boyden chamber assays were used to test the ability of prostate stromal and epithelial cells to attract leukocytes and to test the effect of leukocytes on prostate cellular proliferation. Antibody arrays were used to identify leukocyte-secreted cytokines mediating prostate cellular proliferation.

RESULTS

Leukocytic cells migrated towards both prostate stromal and epithelial cells. CD4+ T-lymphocytes promoted the proliferation of both transformed and non-transformed prostate epithelial cell lines tested, whereas CD8+ T-lymphocytes as well as dHL-60M macrophagic and dHL-60N neutrophilic cells selectively promoted the proliferation of PCa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of these studies show that inflammatory cells can be attracted to the prostate tissue microenvironment and can selectively promote the proliferation of non-transformed or transformed prostate epithelial cells, and are consistent with differential role(s) for inflammatory infiltrate in the etiologies of benign and malignant proliferative disease in the prostate.

Management of elevated prostate-specific antigen in men with nonbacterial chronic prostatitis

Elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the setting of acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis is common. Serum PSA, however, is much more variable in the setting of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. Because elevated serum PSA is associated with prostate cancer and is used in screening programs for prostate cancer, patients with benign causes for elevation of serum PSA present a challenge. This article reviews the management of patients with elevated serum PSA and a diagnosis of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

CSF levels of PSA and PSA-ACT complexes in Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a serine protease that in serum, is predominantly found complexed to the serine protease inhibitor alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT). ACT co-localizes with amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain and both PSA and ACT are detectable in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Therefore, we aimed to determine whether PSA is produced in the brain and whether PSA and PSA-ACT complex levels in CSF can be used as a biomarker for AD.

METHODS

Levels of ACT and PSA-ACT were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in CSF and serum samples of AD (n = 16), frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTLD) (n = 19), mild cognitively impaired (MCI) patients (n = 19) and controls (n = 12). Total PSA was determined in a non-competitive immunoassay. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PSA was performed on postmortem hippocampus and temporal cortex specimens from control and AD cases.

RESULTS

PSA is expressed in the brain, as detected by RT-PCR. PSA and PSA-ACT complexes were detectable in CSF of almost all male and only very few female subjects. The levels of PSA and PSA-ACT complexes in CSF did not differ between AD, FTLD, MCI and control groups. PSA CSF/serum quotients highly correlated with albumin CSF/serum quotients. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic radius of PSA was found to be 3 nm and the theoretical PSA quotient, derived from the Felgenhauer plot, corresponded well with the measured PSA quotient.

CONCLUSIONS

PSA is locally produced in the human brain; however, brain PSA hardly contributes to the CSF levels of PSA. PSA and PSA-ACT levels in CSF are not suitable as a biomarker for AD.

Aggressiveness of Inflammation in Histological Prostatitis – Correlation with Total and Free Prostate Specific Antigen Levels in Men with Biochemical Criteria for Prostate Biopsy

Background and Aims

Although prostatitis can contribute to the lack of prostate specific antigen (tPSA) specificity, there is disagreement concerning the effect of histological inflammation on free PSA (fPSA). We investigated the correlation between aggressiveness of histological inflammation and tPSA, fPSA and f/tPSA in patients without detectable prostate cancer (PC).

Methods

The study included 106 patients with tPSA <10 ng/mL, without clinical prostatitis and with biopsy negative for PC. The inflammation in prostate biopsies was scored for aggressiveness using the four-point scale reported by Irani. The patients were divided into two groups of less aggressive and more aggressive inflammation and compared by use of regression analysis.

Results

The median tPSA, fPSA and f/tPSA levels were 6.39 ng/mL, 1.1 ng/mL and 16% in the less aggressive inflammation group and 7.3 ng/mL, 0.79 ng/mL and 10.7% in the more aggressive inflammation group, respectively. There was no significant between-group difference in tPSA levels (P=0.16), however, statistically significant between-group differences were recorded in fPSA and f/tPSA levels (P<0.001 both). Spearman's analysis yielded a significant negative correlation of inflammation aggressiveness with fPSA (r=-0.34; P<0.001) and f/tPSA (r=-0.45; P<0.001). Free PSA and f/tPSA were lower in the group with more aggressive inflammation.

Conclusions

Histological inflammation has a high prevalence in cancer-free prostate biopsy specimens and exerts similar effects on fPSA and f/tPSA levels as PC. Our study suggests histological prostatitis to be an important cause of decreased fPSA and f/tPSA values; therefore, when it is identified, antibiotic or anti-inflammatory therapy should be introduced to reduce the percentage of men with a continuing indication for prostate biopsy.

Prostate cancer and chronic prostatitis

Prostate cancer and chronic prostatitis are prevalent disorders in men. The cause of prostate cancer and chronic prostatitis is multifocal and diverse. Both disorders exhibit characteristic elevation of serum prostate-specific antigen, currently the primary screening test for prostate cancer. Prostate inflammation, regardless of cause, is the histopathologic hallmark of chronic prostatitis. In general, inflammation is associated with multiple cancers, and prostate inflammation, in particular, is a suggested factor in the development and progression of prostate cancer. This review addresses the link between chronic prostatitis and prostate cancer, especially as it relates to clinical practice.

The inflammatory microenvironment of the aging prostate facilitates cellular proliferation and hypertrophy

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or benign prostatic enlargement), is one of the most common benign proliferative conditions associated with aging in men and is pathologically characterized by the proliferation of fibroblast/myofibroblast and epithelial cell types in the prostate. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that the CXC-type chemokines, CXCL5 and CXCL12, are secreted by aging prostate stroma and promote both proliferative and transcriptional responses from prostate epithelial cells. Using array-based gene expression profiling and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we now show that the transcriptome of the aging prostate stroma is characterized by the up-regulation of several genes that encode secreted inflammatory mediators, including secreted CXC-type chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL12), interleukins (IL11, IL33), and transcripts with cytokine homology (CYTL1). At the protein level, ELISA experiments demonstrated that CXCL1, CXCL5, and CXCL6 were secreted by primary prostate stromal fibroblasts explanted from aging prostate stroma. Dose-response assays confirmed that, like CXCL5 and CXCL12, CXCL1 and CXCL6 promote low-level proliferative responses from both prostate stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Taken together, these data suggest that inflammatory mediators are secreted by prostatic stroma consequent to aging, that the levels of these mediators are sufficient to promote low-level increases in the proliferative rate of both epithelial and stromal fibroblast cell types. Moreover, these processes may account for the low-level, but cumulative, proliferation of both epithelial and fibroblastic/myofibroblastic cell types that characterizes the aging-associated development of benign prostatic hypertophy.

Potential of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in predicting absence of prostate cancer in men with serum prostate-specific antigen between 4 and 10 ng/ml: a follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

Screening for prostate cancer using serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) determination has a positive predictive value of only 30% to 42% for a PSA level between 4 and 10 ng/mL. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI), which identifies cancer on the basis of changes in cellular metabolite levels, might be able to identify patients with noncancerous PSA elevation and help avoid unnecessary biopsies. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating the incidence of prostate cancer in men with a PSA level of 4 to 10 ng/mL and a negative MRSI study.

METHODS

A total of 155 men underwent a three-dimensional proton MRSI of the prostate before transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy for clinical indications. MRSI was performed using an endorectal coil on a 1.5-T magnetic resonance scanner. Patients with no voxels positive for malignancy underwent standard sextant biopsy, and additional MRSI-targeted biopsies were obtained in men with suspicious or malignant voxels. Patients with a biopsy negative for cancer underwent repeat serum PSA estimation every 6 months for a minimum of 18 months.

RESULTS

Of the 155 men, 36 (mean PSA level of 6.47 ng/mL, range 4.25 to 9.9) had no malignant voxels on MRSI. None of them were positive for cancer on biopsy. Of these 36 men, 26 completed at least 18 months (mean 26.9, range 18 to 44) of follow-up. Four patients required repeat biopsies and one, with a persistently elevated PSA level was diagnosed with prostate cancer 29 months after the initial MRSI.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study have shown that prostate biopsy can be deferred in patients with an increased serum PSA of 4 to 10 ng/mL if their MRSI does not show any malignant voxels.