Abstract B14: Predicting prostate cancer: a novel, non-invasive approach

Introduction: Current approaches to the detection of prostate cancer require improvement. PSA and other methods fall short in discriminating between benign and malignant prostates, as well as defining the nature of disease.

We hypothesize that multiple markers, in non-invasive samples, can better detect prostate cancer and improve patient outcomes.

Methods: Discriminating mRNA markers in prostatic tissues were identified, and quantified using standard assays, to complement the non-coding gene PCA3. Complementary metabolomic analysis of ejaculate was performed using 500 MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

Results: In 100 patients, RT-PCR for PCA3 and Hepsin from ejaculate in combination with serum PSA provided improved prediction compared with PSA alone. Further mRNA markers marginally improved these results.

Metabolomic analysis of ejaculate was initially confounded by contributions from buffer solution. Appropriate exclusion of confounders provided improved insight into sample and disease pathophysiology, and was combined with the molecular analysis.

Preliminary results have indicated that combining molecular and metabolomic data promise to improve detection rates. Results from this combined data analysis will be presented.

Furthermore, patients with initially negative prostate biopsies have been monitored for disease progression, with a number changing status over time. These findings have been analyzed and will also be presented.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is potential for non-invasive detection of prostate cancer. Current methods of detection are improved by combining clinical, genetic and metabolic markers from excreted biofluids. Further insight is provided into the pathophysiology of prostate cancer, which will further advance integration with imaging, as well as advancing the development of an accurate, non-invasive screening test for prostate cancer.

Citation Format: Matthew J. Roberts, Horst J. Schirra, Martin F. Lavin, Robert A. Gardiner. Predicting prostate cancer: A novel, noninvasive approach. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B14.