Risk of prostate cancer associated with benign prostate disease: a primary care case-control study

Influence of Trichomonas vaginalis macrophage migration inhibitory factor on the proliferation activity of prostate epithelial cell line and its preliminary mechanism

Currently, the pathogenesis of prostate diseases is still under investigation, but it is generally clinically recognized to be related to the imbalance of prostate cell viability. Trichomonas vaginalis macrophage migration inhibitory factor (TvMIF) has been reported to induce the proliferation and invasion of prostate cancer cells, but for normal PECs, the relationship between them has not been reliably confirmed. Therefore, this research aims to determine the influence of macrophage TvMIF on prostate epithelial cells (PECs) and its preliminary mechanism. The activity of RWPE-1 human normal prostate epithelial cells, the inflammatory response state, the expression of miR-451, and the effect of miR-451 on RWPE-1 were detected after TvMIF intervention. We found that TvMIF can enhance RWPE-1 cell proliferation and activate inflammatory factors by suppressing miR-451, thus taking part in the development and proliferation of diseases such as prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis.

Knowledge and practice of prostate cancer screening among general practitioners in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Screening for prostate cancer remains controversial. General practitioners (GPs) play an important role in assisting men to make an informed decision on prostate cancer screening. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of prostate cancer screening among private GPs in Malaysia.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Private general practices in Selangor, Malaysia.

PARTICIPANTS

311 randomly selected full-time private GPs were recruited between September 2013 and January 2014.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Questionnaires were distributed to the GPs via postal mail and clinic visits. The main outcomes were: knowledge of prostate cancer risk factors and screening tests; GPs' prostate cancer screening practices; and factors influencing GPs' decision to screen for prostate cancer. Associations between covariates and propensity to screen for prostate cancer were determined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The response rate was 65%. The proportion of GPs who overestimated the positive predictive values of prostrate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE) and a combination of PSA and DRE was 63%, 57% and 64%, respectively. About 49.5% of the respondents would routinely screen asymptomatic men for prostate cancer; of them, 94.9% would use PSA to screen. Male GPs who would consider having a PSA test performed on themselves were six times more likely to screen asymptomatic men than GPs who would not have the test (OR=6.88, 95% CI 1.40 to 33.73), after adjusting for age and duration of practice.

CONCLUSIONS

GPs overestimated the accuracy of PSA in prostate cancer screening. Their intention to screen for prostate cancer themselves predicted their propensity to screen their patients for prostate cancer. This finding highlights the potential of using a new approach to change GPs' screening practices via addressing GPs' own screening behaviour.

Exposure to pesticides and prostate cancer: systematic review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Investigations about the association between prostate cancer and environmental and/or occupational pesticide exposure have evidenced a possible role of these chemical substances on tumor etiology, related to their action as endocrine disruptors.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between pesticide exposure and prostate cancer by conducting a systematic review of the scientific literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Articles published until August 18, 2015 were searched in the databases MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scielo, and Lilacs using the keywords "pesticides" and "prostate cancer". Only the analytical observational studies whose methodological quality met the criteria established by the New Castle-Ottawa scale were included in this review.

RESULTS

The review included 49 studies published between 1993 and 2015. All studies were in English and analyzed exposure to pesticides and/or agricultural activities. Most studies (32 articles) found a positive association between prostate cancer and pesticides or agricultural occupations, with estimates ranging from 1.01 to 14.10.

CONCLUSION

The evidence provided by the reviewed studies indicates a possible association between the development of prostate cancer and pesticide exposure and/or agricultural occupations.

Systematic review of clinical features of suspected prostate cancer in primary care

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature and provide an update and integration of existing peer-reviewed guidelines with recent systematic reviews and with primary studies related to the early recognition and management of prostate cancer in primary care.

DATA SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for relevant articles. The quality of the evidence to support existing guideline recommendations and the consistency of recommendations with updated evidence were assessed. Applicability in a Canadian primary care setting was also evaluated.

STUDY SELECTION

All studies conducted in the primary care setting that provided information on clinical features predictive of prostate cancer were included. Also, studies that assessed the accuracy of nomograms to predict prostate cancer were reviewed.

SYNTHESIS

The findings suggest that lower urinary tract symptoms are not highly predictive of prostate cancer. However, evidence suggests that FPs might be good at discriminating between patients with and without prostate cancer using digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen testing. Nomograms might also be useful in assessing patients for aggressive prostate cancers.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review can be used to inform recommendations for referral for suspected prostate cancer in the primary care setting. They could also inform development of prostate cancer diagnostic assessment programs.

Does benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment with alpha-blockers affect prostate cancer risk?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To determine whether alpha-blockers, commonly used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, are associated with prostate cancer risk.

RECENT FINDINGS

Alpha-blockers have been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer aggressiveness in some observational studies and an increased risk in other studies. However, this relationship is complex as different alpha-blockers have divergent effects in laboratory studies and there are many confounders in daily practice such as differential screening practices.

SUMMARY

Both benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are common conditions in the aging male population, such that an interaction between alpha-blockers and prostate cancer risk is clinically relevant. Prospective evidence is necessary to establish a definitive link.