Recent Prostate-specific Antigen Research Articles

Racial and ethnic disparities in prostate cancer screening following the 2018 US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.

In 2018, the United States Preventive Services Task Force promoted shared decision making between healthcare provider and patient for men aged 55 to 69. This study aimed to analyze rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing across racial and ethnic groups following this new recommendation. A secondary analysis was conducted of the 2020-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database to assess men aged 55 or older without a history of prostate cancer. We defined four race-ethnicity groups: non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), Hispanics, and Other. The primary outcome was the most recent PSA test (MRT), defined as the respondent's most recent PSA test occurring pre-2018 or post-2018 guidelines. Logistic regression adjusted for covariates including age, socioeconomic status factors, marital status, smoking history, and healthcare access factors. In the age 55 to 69 study sample, NHW men had the greatest proportion of MRT post-2018 guidelines (n = 15,864, 72.5%). NHB men had the lowest percentage of MRT post-2018 guidelines (n = 965, 66.6%). With NHW as referent, the crude odds of the MRT post-2018 guidelines was 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.53-0.90) for NHB. The maximally adjusted odds ratio was 0.78 (0.59-1.02). We found that NHB aged 55 to 69 reported decreased rates of PSA testing after 2018 when compared to NHW. This was demonstrated on crude analysis but not after adjustment. Such findings suggest the influence of social determinants of health on preventative screening for at-risk populations.

Prostate Cancer Screening Uptake in Transgender Women

There is no consensus in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening guidelines regarding transgender women despite their known prostate cancer risk. To identify factors associated with recent (within the last 2 years) PSA screening in transgender women compared with cisgender men. This case-control study used data from the 2018 and 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys to characterize rates of PSA screening for prostate cancer within the past 2 years and multivariable logistic regressions to characterize factors associated with recent screening among transgender women. The BRFSS program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention annually surveys over 400 000 US adults on behavioral risk factors, chronic illnesses, and use of preventive services. Respondents to the BRFSS who were cisgender men or transgender women 40 years or older and who had complete PSA testing responses and no prostate cancer history were included; 313 transgender women and 138 937 cisgender men met inclusion criteria. Matching was performed by age, race and ethnicity, educational level, employment, annual income, survey year, and cost barriers to care. Data were collected on November 2, 2022, and analyzed from November 2, 2022, to December 3, 2023. Rates of and factors associated with recent PSA screening in transgender women. Among the 1275 participants included in the matched cohort (255 transgender women and 1020 cisgender men; 570 [44.7%] aged 55-69 years), recent PSA screening rates among transgender women and cisgender men aged 55 to 69 were 22.2% (n = 26) and 36.3% (n = 165), respectively; among those 70 years and older, these rates were 41.8% (n = 26) and 40.2% (n = 98), respectively. In the matched cohort, transgender women had lower univariable odds of recent screening than cisgender men (odds ratio [OR], 0.65 [95% CI, 0.46-0.92]; P = .02). In a hierarchical regression analysis adding time since the last primary care visit, effect size and significance were unchanged (OR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.42-0.87]; P = .007). After adding whether a clinician recommended a PSA test, there was no statistically significant difference in odds of screening between transgender women and cisgender men (OR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.45-1.27]; P = .21). The results were further attenuated when clinician-led discussions of PSA screening advantages and disadvantages were added (OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.47-1.31]; P = .32). In a multivariable logistic regression among transgender women, having a recommendation for PSA testing was the factor with the strongest association with recent screening (OR, 12.40 [95% CI, 4.47-37.80]; P < .001). In this case-control study of one of the largest cohorts of transgender women studied regarding PSA screening, the findings suggest that access to care or sociodemographic factors were not principal drivers of the screening differences between transgender women and cisgender men; rather, these data underscore the clinician's role in influencing PSA screening among transgender women.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response among patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) initiated on apalutamide (APA) or abiraterone acetate (ABI) in real-world urology practices.

53 Background: Recently approved oral therapies APA and ABI (plus prednisone) are effective mCSPC treatments. Prior real-world evidence showed that, relative to ABI, patients who initiated APA had significantly higher rates of PSA decline ≥90% (PSA90), which has been associated with longer overall survival. The objective of this study was to compare PSA90 response among an enhanced cohort of patients with mCSPC initiated on APA or ABI. Methods: Electronic medical records from PPS Analytics including data from US community urology practices were linked with administrative claims from the Komodo Health Solutions Research Database. Androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI)-naïve patients with mCSPC with ≥12 months of pre-index clinical activity were selected into the APA or ABI cohort based on their first paid claim/dispensation on or after 17 Sep 2019 (index date). Patients were followed to earliest of index ARSI discontinuation or switch, radiopharmaceutical use, end of insurance or clinical activity, or end of data availability (30 Sep 2022). Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to reduce potential pre-index confounding, controlling for age, race, region, insurance payer, index year, time from metastasis to index date, time from first prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis to index date, metastasis locations, de novo PC, use of androgen deprivation therapy, first-generation antiandrogens or chemotherapy, most recent PSA and testosterone levels, and most recent Gleason score. PSA90 was defined as the earliest attainment of ≥90% decline in PSA relative to pre-index (most recent value within 13 weeks). The proportion of patients achieving PSA90 was compared using a weighted Kaplan-Meier analysis and the time-to-PSA90 response was compared using a weighted Cox proportional hazards model. Results: A total of 917 APA and 632 ABI patients were identified. Patient characteristics were balanced with IPTW (Table). By 6 months post-index, 80.9% of APA and 72.8% of ABI patients had a PSA measurement. By 6 months, significantly more APA patients attained a PSA90 response, as compared to ABI patients (P &lt; 0.001; Table). Median time-to-PSA90 was 3.5 months for APA patients and 8.8 months for ABI patients. Conclusions: This real-world study supports previous findings that a greater percentage of patients with mCSPC in the US initiating APA achieved deep PSA response compared to those initiating ABI. [Table: see text]

Real-world comparison of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) treated with apalutamide (APA) or enzalutamide (ENZ).

51 Background: APA and ENZ, two androgen receptor synthesis inhibitors (ARSIs), used in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are among the recommended treatments for patients with mCSPC. Deep PSA response, evaluated as ≥90% PSA decline (PSA90), is an important outcome after ARSI initiation, with early, deep response associated with longer survival. The primary objective of this study was to compare PSA90 response in ARSI-naïve patients with mCSPC by 6 months after initiating APA or ENZ in real-world clinical practice. Methods: Linked electronic medical record (EMR) data of US community urology practices in the from PPS Analytics and administrative health data from Komodo Health Solutions Research Database were evaluated. Patients with mCSPC were selected into two cohorts, based on the index date, defined as the first paid pharmacy claim or in-office dispensation for APA or ENZ on or after 16 Dec 2019. Patients were required to have ≥12 months of pre-index EMR clinical activity. Pre-index characteristics (i.e., age, race, geographic region, payer type, index year, time from metastasis, time from first prostate cancer [PC] diagnosis, de novo PC, ADT use, first-generation antiandrogen use, chemotherapy use, metastasis locations, most recent PSA level, testosterone level, and Gleason score) were balanced between cohorts with inverse-probability treatment weighting (IPTW). Patients were followed from index date until the earliest of index ARSI discontinuation or switch, radiopharmaceutical initiation, end of open administrative claim or EMR clinical activity, or end of data availability (30 Sep 2022). PSA90 was defined as the earliest ≥90% decline in PSA relative to most recent pre-index PSA. The proportion of patients achieving PSA90 was compared using a weighted Kaplan-Meier analysis and the time-to-PSA90 response was compared using a weighted Cox proportional hazards model. Results: In total 860 APA and 869 ENZ patients were identified. Patient pre-index characteristics were balanced with IPTW (Table). By 6 months post-index, 80.3% of APA and 75.0% of ENZ patients had ≥1 PSA test result. By 6 months, significantly more APA patients attained a PSA90 response, as compared to ENZ patients (p=0.005; Table). The median time to PSA90 response was 3.5 months for APA and 4.9 months for ENZ. Conclusions: This US real-world study of patients with mCSPC demonstrated that treatment with APA produces a deep, early PSA response by 6 months in a greater percentage of patients than treatment with ENZ. [Table: see text]

Prostate Cancer Screening Uptake in Transgender Females.

Transgender females (TF) can experience aggressive forms of prostate cancer, but their uptake of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer is not well-known. Although national guidelines recommend PSA screening based on age, they do not specify recommendations based on gender identity. We evaluate and compare factors associated with recent PSA screening between cisgender men (CM) and TF using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data. BRFSS 2018-2020 data was queried to identify CM and TF older than 40 who provided responses to BRFSS questions asking time since last PSA test and whether a provider discussed PSA advantages and disadvantages. Rates of recent screening, defined as receiving a PSA test in the last 2 years with no current or past history of prostate cancer, were calculated for CM and TF. Ages were grouped as younger than 55, 55-69, and 70 years and older based on national PSA screening guidelines, and a 1:4 age-matched cohort between CM and TF was created. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions to measure effects of gender identity, sociodemographic variables, and healthcare access on the odds of recent screening and were calculated and presented as odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence intervals]. The age-matched cohort had 1,252 CM and 313 TF; TF had a lower overall screening rate than CM (24% vs. 42.3%). TF and CM had similar rates of primary care visits within the last year (85% vs. 86%), but TF were less likely to report that a PSA screen was recommended to them by a provider (33% vs. 49%, p<0.001). Even among all patients with this PSA screening recommendation, fewer TF were recently screened than CM (63% vs. 78%, p = 0.002). In a multivariable regression model, TF had lower odds of recent screening (OR = 0.5 [0.32-0.76], p<0.001) when compared to CM. Discussion of PSA advantages with a provider had higher odds (OR = 15 [10.6-21.5], p<0.001) while discussion of PSA disadvantages was not significantly associated with screening (OR = 0.84 [0.6-1.2], p = 0.3). A college education had higher odds of recent screening (OR = 2.66 [1.2-6.3], p = 0.02) than no high school education. In a multivariable regression model of TF patients, TF aged 70 years and older had higher odds of recent screening (OR = 2.8 [1.1-7.1], p = 0.002) than TF aged 55-69, with screening rates of 14%, 21% and 60% for the under 55, 55-69, and 70+ age groups, respectively. Similarly, to the overall cohort, provider-led discussion of PSA advantages had the strongest association with recent screening (OR = 15.4 [6.15-43.1], p < 0.001), followed by being college educated (OR = 5.7 [1.5-24.9], p = 0.01). TF patients were screened with PSA at a lower rate than CM. Discussing PSA screening benefits with a provider had the largest effect on recent screening among TF patients, highlighting the provider's role in screening uptake. Future studies should continue to evaluate the effects of provider perceptions and barriers to healthcare access on PSA screening in TF.

Serum prostate-specific antigen trends and prostate cancer detection on follow-up in men with a prior negative biopsy: A cohort study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most common trigger for a prostate biopsy. However, the range of normal PSA is poorly defined in many populations. Men with “elevated” PSA may not harbor cancer, and it is unclear if such men with a prior negative prostate biopsy should be biopsied again. We conducted a cohort study to assess the PSA trends and cancer detection rates in such men. Methods: In an Institutional Review Board-approved ambispective study, men who underwent prostate biopsy between January 2016 and December 2021 for PSA &gt; 4 ng/mL were identified. Among them, those whose biopsy was negative for malignancy were contacted either telephonically or reviewed in person, and the most recent PSA and histopathology of any repeat prostate biopsy were determined. These were evaluated to assess the PSA trend, re-biopsy rate, and cancer detection rate. Results: During the study period, prostate biopsies were performed in a total of 1260 men; out of which 444 were negative for malignancy and 241 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Their median prebiopsy PSA was 9.81 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 7.14–15.6), and the median follow-up PSA was 5.08 (IQR: 3.18–8.4). At a median follow-up of 53 months (range: 6–77 months), PSA had decreased in 177 (73.4%) patients, was static in 48 (19.9%) patients, and increased in only 16 (6.6%) patients. Repeat biopsy was performed on 20 patients; of whom seven had cancer (35%) with an overall positivity rate of 2.9% among the 241 patients. Although the positivity rate was higher in men with increased PSA, it was not statistically different from those with lower or similar PSA. No factors could be identified to predict a positive repeat biopsy. Conclusions: PSA, the sole trigger for a prostate biopsy, declined in nearly three-quarters of men with a negative first biopsy, and &lt;3% of men were detected to have cancer on a repeat biopsy. This information could help appropriately counsel patients and allay anxiety after a negative biopsy.

Low-Value Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening in Older Males

The US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines advise against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer in males older than 69 years due to the risk of false-positive results and overdiagnosis of indolent disease. However, this low-value PSA screening in males aged 70 years or older remains common. To characterize the factors associated with low-value PSA screening in males 70 years or older. This survey study used data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a nationwide annual survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that collects information via telephone from more than 400 000 US adults on behavioral risk factors, chronic illnesses, and use of preventive services. The final cohort comprised male respondents to the 2020 BRFSS survey who were categorized into the following age groups: 70 to 74 years, 75 to 79 years, or 80 years or older. Males with a former or current prostate cancer diagnosis were excluded. The outcomes were recent PSA screening rates and factors associated with low-value PSA screening. Recent screening was defined as PSA testing within the past 2 years. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions and 2-sided significance tests were used to characterize factors associated with recent screening. The cohort included 32 306 males. Most of these males (87.6%) were White individuals, whereas 1.1% were American Indian, 1.2% were Asian, 4.3% were Black, and 3.4% were Hispanic individuals. Within this cohort, 42.8% of respondents were aged 70 to 74 years, 28.4% were aged 75 to 79 years, and 28.9% were 80 years or older. The recent PSA screening rates were 55.3% for males in the 70-to-74-year age group, 52.1% in the 75-to-79-year age group, and 39.4% in the 80-year-or-older group. Among all racial groups, non-Hispanic White males had the highest screening rate (50.7%), and non-Hispanic American Indian males had the lowest screening rate (32.0%). Screening increased with higher educational level and annual income. Married respondents were screened more than unmarried males. In a multivariable regression model, discussing PSA testing advantages with a clinician (odds ratio [OR], 9.09; 95% CI, 7.60-11.40; P < .001) was associated with increased recent screening, whereas discussing PSA testing disadvantages had no association with screening (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.77-1.17; P = .60). Other factors associated with a higher screening rate included having a primary care physician, a post-high school educational level, and income of more than $25 000 per year. Results of this survey study suggest that older male respondents to the 2020 BRFSS survey were overscreened for prostate cancer despite the age cutoff for PSA screening recommended in national guidelines. Discussing the benefits of PSA testing with a clinician was associated with increased screening, underscoring the potential of clinician-level interventions to reduce overscreening in older males.

Predictors of Low-Value PSA Screening in Elderly Men

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advises against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer in men over 70 and identifies men aged 55 - 69 as the target screening group. The PSA test for prostate cancer is limited by its high false-positive rate and often leads to overdiagnosis of prostate cancer. Together, these can expose patients to anxiety, invasive biopsies, and possible over-treatment. We evaluate the predictors of recent PSA testing in men over 70 using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> BRFSS 2020 data from PSA-related questions were analyzed, including time since last PSA test, PSA test reason, and whether a provider discussed the advantages and disadvantages of PSA screening with respondents. Men over 70 who answered PSA-related questions met our study criteria. We defined "recent testing" as having had a PSA test within the past two years. We used weighted multivariable logistic regressions with two-sided significance tests to measure effects of age, insurance status, having a primary care physician (PCP), and having discussion of PSA test risks and benefits with a provider on recent testing. Recent testing rates and percentages of men tested via routine screening vs. prostate-specific evaluations were calculated. <h3>Results</h3> Our cohort included 33,556 men. Recent PSA testing was high in men over 70. Men aged 70-75, 75-80, 80+ had testing rates of 56.3%, 53.4%, and 40.8% respectively. In a multivariable regression model, positive predictors of recent testing in men over 70 included being insured (OR = 1.202, 95% CI 1.195 - 1.21, p < 0.001), having a PCP (OR = 1.459, 95% CI 1.454 - 1.465, p < 0.001), and discussing the advantages of PSA testing with a PCP (OR = 3.507, 95% CI 3.5 - 3.515, p < 0.001). Discussing the disadvantages of PSA testing with a PCP had only a small, negative effect on recent testing in men over 70 (OR = 0.996, 95% CI 0.995 - 0.998, p < 0.001). Among men over 70 who had recent PSA tests, 73.3% reported routine testing as the main reason for their tests. We repeated our analysis with the unweighted survey data and found no significant changes in results. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Despite USPSTF guidelines, men over 70 continue to be screened with PSA at a high rate. Routine testing accounted for the majority of recent PSA tests in men over 70. Having a discussion of the benefits of PSA tests with a provider had the largest effect on recent testing in men over 70, which underscores the role of the provider in positively influencing PSA testing rates. Other related predictors of PSA testing in men over 70 included being insured and having a PCP. These findings suggest changes can be made at the provider-level to increase adherence to guidelines on age-based PSA testing.

Intermediate-term oncological outcomes after a negative endorectal coil multiparametric MRI of the prostate in patients without biopsy proven prostate cancer

PurposeInvestigate the intermediate-term oncological outcome after negative multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate in patients without biopsy proven prostate cancer (PCa). MethodsThe retrospective study included 121 patients with negative mpMRI (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2.1 category<3) performed at our institution between 2012 and 2017 without known biopsy proven PCa. Clinical and pathological data were collated including post-MRI prostatic tissue diagnoses with highest Grade Group and most recent prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels up to any definitive prostate cancer treatment. Mean PSA velocities between patients with and without a subsequent diagnosis of Grade Group 2 or higher (GG2+) PCa were compared, and an optimal threshold value was calculated. ResultsOutcome data available included PSA values in 117 patients and prostate tissue sampling in 52 patients. Over a median follow up interval of 49.8 months, only 11 of 121 patients (9.1%) were diagnosed with GG2+ PCa, 10 patients (8.3%) with GG1 PCa, and 31 patients (25.6%) had negative prostate tissue samples. Mean PSA velocity was significantly higher in the patients diagnosed with GG2+ PCa (3.87 ng/mL/year) compared to those not diagnosed with GG2+ PCa (−0.71 ng/mL/year, p < 0.001). A threshold PSA velocity of 0.27 ng/mL/year had a 100% sensitivity and 69.8% specificity for GG2+ PCa (AUC: 0.898). Conclusion<10% of patients with negative mpMRI without prior biopsy proven PCa were diagnosed with GG2+ PCa over median follow up of over four years and were associated with PSA velocity of ≥0.27 ng/mL/year. PSA monitoring may be a reasonable management strategy in patients with a negative mpMRI without biopsy proven PCa.

Attainment of early, deep prostate-specific antigen response in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer: A comparison of patients initiated on apalutamide or enzalutamide.

43 Background: Deep prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, defined as a ≥90% decline in PSA (PSA90), is an important early prognostic factor for achieving radiographic progression free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) treated with a next generation androgen receptor inhibitor (ARI) or androgen biosynthesis inhibitor. This study compared PSA90 responses among patients with mCSPC at first use of a next generation ARI. Methods: Clinical data from 69 community urology practices in the United States were evaluated. Patients with mCSPC were classified into treatment cohorts based on their first filled prescription (index date) for apalutamide (APA) or enzalutamide (ENZ) after 12/16/2019. Patients were followed from index date until the earliest of index regimen discontinuation, treatment switch, end of clinical activity or end of data availability (03/05/2021). Included patients had ≥12 months of clinical activity to assess baseline characteristics. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to reduce baseline confounding by controlling for age, race, index year, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use ≥6 months, first-generation antiandrogen use, most recent PSA level, most recent testosterone level, Gleason score, and time between metastasis and the index date. PSA90 was defined as the earliest attainment of ≥90% decline in PSA relative to baseline PSA (most recent value within 13 weeks pre-index). The proportion of patients achieving a PSA90 and the time to PSA90 was compared using a weighted Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis and weighted Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 186 APA patients and 165 ENZ patients met the study criteria. Patients’ characteristics were generally well balanced after IPTW (Table). By 6 months, 73.6% of APA and 69.5% of ENZ patients had a post index PSA measurement. At 6 months, significantly more mCSPC patients initiated on APA attained PSA90 response than patients initiated on ENZ (p=0.014; Table). This result continued to remain significant at 9 months and at the end of the follow-up (Table). The median time to PSA90 was 3.1 months for APA patients and 5.2 months for ENZ patients. Conclusions: This real-world study of mCSPC cohorts demonstrates that initiation of APA leads to significantly more patients achieving a deep PSA response more rapidly than patients initiating ENZ. [Table: see text]

Prostate-specific antigen response among Black and non-Black patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with apalutamide in a urology setting.

124 Background: Apalutamide (APA) is approved to treat patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) or metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) in the United States (US) but low enrollment of Black patients in clinical trials has led to limited clinical data about APA for this population. This study describes prostate-specific antigen (PSA) responses among Black and non-Black patients with nmCRPC or mCSPC treated with APA in a real-world community urology setting. Methods: Clinical data from 2/2018 to 3/2021 collected at 69 US urology practices were used to evaluate nmCRPC or mCSPC patients who received ≥1 APA prescription fill (index date). Baseline PSA was reported based with the most recent baseline PSA value and PSA doubling time (PSADT) in months (mo) was calculated in patients with at least 2 PSA tests before APA initiation. PSA response defined as the proportion of patients achieving either a reduction of 50% (PSA50) or 90% (PSA90) from baseline and was evaluated in patients with a PSA test result 8 weeks or later after initiating APA. Among patients with a response, the time from the index date to the response was also evaluated. Study results for Black and non-Black cohorts were summarized separately. Results: Data from 289 nmCRPC (19% Black) and 237 mCSPC (19% Black) patients were identified. Median baseline PSA, median baseline PSADT and post-index PSA responses are shown in Table. A PSA50 response was attained by numerically similar proportions of Black and non-Black patients with nmCRPC or mCSPC. A PSA90 response was observed in a numerically higher proportion of Black than non-Black nmCRPC patients. Median time to PSA50 and PSA90 was also similar between groups. Conclusions: This real-world study of nmCRPC and mCSPC patients demonstrates that PSA50 and PSA90 responses are achieved by high proportions of both Black and non-Black patients. Moreover, the PSA50 and PSA90 responses observed in this study are highly consistent with those observed in APA’s Phase 3 registrational trials for nmCRPC (SPARTAN)1 and for mCSPC (TITAN)2.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening rates and factors associated with screening in Eastern Canadian men: Findings from cross-sectional survey data.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is used in Canada to detect prostate cancer (PCa) despite mixed recommendations. Complications arising from false-positives are common, posing as a cancer-screening concern. This work estimates some Canadian rates of PSA screening and identifies men at increased odds for PSA screening. The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) from 2009/10 (Atlantic Canada; ATL), 2011/2012 (Ontario; ON), and 2013/2014 (Quebec; QC) were used. Lifetime and recent PSA screening with confidence intervals were constructed to estimate PSA screening in ATL, ON, and QC. Two logistic regression models (for men <50 and ≥50 years of age) were used to determine associations between factors and lifetime PSA screening. PSA screening rates have increased in most age groups for ATL, ON, and QC since 2000/2001. Factors positively associated with lifetime PSA screening in men of all ages were: having a digital rectal exam, having a regular doctor, and having a colorectal exam. Fruit and vegetables consumption and non-smoking status were positively associated with lifetime PSA screening in men <50 years of age. High income and the presence of chronic health conditions were positively associated with lifetime PSA screening in men ≥50 years of age. PSA screening rates have generally increased since 2000/2001 in Canada. Physician-related factors play a role in men at all ages, while different factors are associated in men <50 years of age and men ≥50 years of age. Limitations include the generalizability to all of Canada and the potential for recall bias.

Association of Long-Term Dynamics in Circulating Testosterone with Serum PSA in Prostate Cancer-Free Men with Initial-PSA < 4ng/mL.

We previously reported that an accelerated decline in circulating testosterone level is associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer (PCa). This study is to examine whether testosterone change rate is related to serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration among PCa-free men. Longitudinal data were derived from electronic medical records at a tertiary hospital in the Southeastern USA. PCa-free men with initial-PSA < 4ng/mL and ≥ 2 testosterone measurements were included (n = 632). Three PSA measures (peak, the most recent, and average PSA) during the study period (from first testosterone measurement to the most recent hospital visit) were examined using multivariable-adjusted geometric means and were compared across quintiles of testosterone change rate (ng/dL/month) and current testosterone level (cross-sectional). Mean (standard deviation, SD) age at baseline was 59.3 (10.5) years; mean study period was 93.0 (55.3) months. After adjusting for covariates including baseline testosterone, the three PSA measures all significantly increased across quintile of testosterone change rate from increase to decline (peak PSA: quint 1 = 1.09, quint 5 = 1.41; the most recent PSA: quint 1 = 0.85, quint 5 = 1.00; average PSA: quint 1 = 0.89, quint 5 = 1.02; all Ptrend < 0.001). But current testosterone level was not associated with PSA levels. Stratified analyses indicated men with higher adiposity (body mass index > 24.1kg/m2) or lower baseline testosterone (≤ 296ng/dL) were more sensitive to testosterone change in regard to PSA. Among PCa-free men, accelerated testosterone decline might correlate with higher serum PSA concentration. It will help to elucidate the mechanisms relating aging-accompanying testosterone dynamics to prostate carcinogenesis.

Abstract 591: Circulating testosterone in modifying the association of BMI change rate with serum PSA in prostate cancer-free men with initial-PSA less than 4 ng/mL

Abstract Background: Body mass index (BMI)-adjusted prostate-specific antigen (PSA) model has been proposed to improve the predictive accuracy of serum PSA in prostate cancer (PCa) screening. However, how BMI change rate may influence PSA levels in PCa-free men has not been well studied. The current study is to examine the relationship between BMI change rate and serum PSA in PCa-free men and whether this relationship is modified by circulating testosterone. Methods: We conducted this study at a tertiary hospital in the Southeastern US using the Electronic Medical Records of PCa-free men with initial PSA less than 4 ng/mL (cutoff for prostate biopsy), at least 1 testosterone measurement and at least 2 BMI measurements during the study period. Time when the first BMI measurement was recorded served as the baseline, and the study period was defined from baseline to the most recent hospital visit. The included medical records ranged from Jun 2001 to Oct 2015. BMI change rate was created in two ways depending on the number of data points. For men with only 2 BMI measurements, it was calculated by firstly subtracting baseline BMI from the second BMI, then dividing the difference by time interval (months) between the two BMI measurements. For men with more than 2 BMI measurements, we firstly regressed BMI to time interval (months) between that measurement and baseline, then took the β regression coefficient (slope) as the BMI change rate for that men. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association of BMI change rate with three PSA measures, including peak, the most recent, and mean PSA during the study period. Effect modification by testosterone was assessed through stratified analysis by testosterone level of 280 ng/dL as cutoff. Results: A total of 470 men with a mean study period of 97.6 months were included. Median age at baseline was 62 years. After adjusting for covariates including baseline BMI, no significant association of BMI change rate was observed with peak PSA (β =0.416, P =0.078), the most recent PSA (β =0.360, P =0.139), or mean PSA (β =0.405, P =0.064) in the overall sample. However, testosterone-stratified analyses indicated that BMI change rate was positively associated with peak PSA (β =1.118, P =0.013), the most recent PSA (β =0.932, P =0.044), and mean PSA (β =1.034, P =0.013) in men with testosterone &amp;lt;280 ng/dL, but no significant association was observed in men with testosterone ≥280 ng/dL (for peak PSA, β =0.076, P =0.785; for the most recent PSA, β =0.072, P =0.802; for mean PSA, β =0.099, P =0.700). Conclusion: Accelerated BMI increase in middle-to-late adulthood might correlate with higher PSA level if a low circulating testosterone occurred concurrently. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding. Citation Format: Kai Wang, Mattia Prosperi, Peihua Qiu, Ting-Yuan David Cheng, Victoria Y. Bird, Xinguang Chen, Mingyang Song. Circulating testosterone in modifying the association of BMI change rate with serum PSA in prostate cancer-free men with initial-PSA less than 4 ng/mL [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 591.

The effect of urologic oncology fellowship training on type and yield of prostate biopsy.

135 Background: Prostate biopsy is a commonly performed procedure done in the evaluation of elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA), abnormal digital rectal exam (DRE), or for patients with a known prostate cancer diagnosis on active surveillance. The diagnostic yield of prostate biopsy is related to patient factors including age and race, but may also be correlated with provider factors, including clinical experience and training. We aim to determine the relationship between urologic oncology fellowship training (UOFT) and years of training with diagnostic yield of prostate biopsy. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent prostate biopsy across the Cleveland Clinic between 2000 and 2018. Biopsies done by urologists with and without UOFT were detailed via descriptive statistics and with appropriate (chi square, Student t) tests. Logistic regression was performed, adjusting for last PSA, age, race, and type of biopsy. Results: A total of 11,255 biopsies performed by 129 urologists had complete information for review. The average patient age at biopsy was 65 years. The mean number of years in practice was 16 with a range from &lt; 1 to 46 (SD 11.26). Of 129 urologists 16 (12.4%) had completed a urology oncology fellowship. Those with UOFT were more likely to use MRI guidance for biopsy (7.73% v 2.89%). Overall, 35.5% of all biopsies were positive for prostate cancer, with a significantly higher rate of positive biopsy for urologists with UOFT (40.7% v 32.43%, OR 1.4, p &lt; 0.0001). Having completed greater than 5 years of clinical practice was correlated with greater odds of positive biopsy (OR 1.170, p &lt; 0.0001), but significance of this association was lost when adjusting for oncology fellowship. UOFT remained a significant predictor of diagnostic yield even when adjusting for most recent PSA, age and race of patient, provider years in practice, and type of biopsy (MRI v transrectal ultrasound). Conclusions: Urologic oncology fellowship training is associated with a higher diagnostic yield on prostate biopsy, and a higher uptake of MRI guided biopsy. Higher rate of positivity on biopsy may be attributable to more nuanced patient selection for biopsy or to biopsy technique.

Testosterone treatment and the risk of aggressive prostate cancer in men with low testosterone levels.

PurposeTestosterone treatment of men with low testosterone is common and, although relatively short-term, has raised concern regarding an increased risk of prostate cancer (CaP). We investigated the association between modest-duration testosterone treatment and incident aggressive CaP.Materials and methodsRetrospective inception cohort study of male Veterans aged 40 to 89 years with a laboratory-defined low testosterone measurement from 2002 to 2011 and recent prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing; excluding those with recent testosterone treatment, prostate or breast cancer, high PSA or prior prostate biopsy. Histologically-confirmed incident aggressive prostate cancer or any prostate cancer were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively.ResultsOf the 147,593 men included, 58,617 were treated with testosterone. 313 aggressive CaPs were diagnosed, 190 among untreated men (incidence rate (IR) 0.57 per 1000 person years, 95% CI 0.49–0.65) and 123 among treated men (IR 0.58 per 1000 person years; 95% CI 0.48–0.69). After adjusting for age, race, hospitalization during year prior to cohort entry, geography, BMI, medical comorbidities, repeated testosterone and PSA testing, testosterone treatment was not associated with incident aggressive CaP (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.70–1.13) or any CaP (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.81–1.01). No association between cumulative testosterone dose or formulation and CaP was observed.ConclusionsAmong men with low testosterone levels and normal PSA, testosterone treatment was not associated with an increased risk of aggressive or any CaP. The clinical risks and benefits of testosterone treatment can only be fully addressed by large, longer-term randomized controlled trials.

Recent Patterns in Shared Decision Making for Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing in the United States.

Previous studies report infrequent use of shared decision making for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. It is unknown whether this pattern has changed recently considering increased emphasis on shared decision making in prostate cancer screening recommendations. Thus, the objective of this study is to examine recent changes in shared decision making. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study among men aged 50 years and older in the United States using 2010 and 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data (n = 9,598). Changes in receipt of shared decision making were expressed as adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Analyses were stratified on PSA testing (recent [in the past year] or no testing). Elements of shared decision making assessed included the patient being informed about the advantages only, advantages and disadvantages, and full shared decision making (advantages, disadvantages, and uncertainties). Among men with recent PSA testing, 58.5% and 62.6% reported having received ≥1 element of shared decision making in 2010 and 2015, respectively (P = .054, aPR = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.98-1.11). Between 2010 and 2015, being told only about the advantages of PSA testing significantly declined (aPR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.96) and full shared decision making prevalence significantly increased (aPR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.28-1.79) in recently tested men. Among men without prior PSA testing, 10% reported ≥1 element of shared decision making, which did not change with time. Between 2010 and 2015, there was no increase in shared decision making among men with recent PSA testing though there was a shift away from only being told about the advantages of PSA testing towards full shared decision making. Many men receiving PSA testing did not receive shared decision making.

Effects of individual and partner factors on anxiety and depression in Taiwanese prostate cancer patients: A longitudinal study.

Studies exploring the mediating and predictive factors of anxiety and depression for prostate cancer patients in Eastern countries are scant. Guided by the transactional model of stress and coping, this study determined the predictors and mediators of anxiety and depression in prostate cancer patients. The participants comprised 115 prostate cancer patients and 91 partners. The patients and partners completed questionnaires regarding physical symptoms, disease appraisals, coping behaviours, anxiety and depression in the period before confirmation of treatment decisions and 1, 3, 6 and 12months after treatment. The results revealed that partner anxiety engendered a stressful situation and aggravated patient anxiety. Patients' threat appraisals and affective-oriented coping behaviours mediated the relationships between their anxiety levels and those of their partners. The patients' most recent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and hormonal symptoms were key predictors of their anxiety and depression levels. The patients' harm appraisals mediated the relationships between their most recent PSA levels and hormonal symptoms and depression. Their threat appraisals and affective-oriented coping behaviours mediated the relationships between their hormonal symptoms and anxiety and depression. To manage those key factors, reframing, appraising disease and improving coping behaviours may reduce anxiety and depression levels in prostate cancer patients.

Treatment Outcomes from 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT-Informed Salvage Radiation Treatment in Men with Rising PSA After Radical Prostatectomy: Prognostic Value of a Negative PSMA PET.

68Ga-PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) PET/CT is increasingly used in men with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure after radical prostatectomy (RP) to triage those who will benefit from salvage radiation treatment (SRT). This study examines the value of PSMA-informed SRT in improving treatment outcomes in the context of biochemical failure after RP. Methods: We analyzed men with rising PSA after RP with PSA readings between 0.05 and 1.0 ng/mL, considered eligible for SRT at the time of PSMA. For each patient, clinical and pathologic features as well as scan results, including site of PSMA-positive disease, number of lesions, and a certainty score, were documented. Subsequent management, including SRT, and most recent PSA were recorded using medical records. Treatment response was defined as both PSA ≤ 0.1 ng/mL and >50% reduction in PSA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for association of clinical variables and treatment response to SRT. Results: One hundred sixty-four men were included. PSMA was positive in 62% (n = 102/164): 38 of 102 in the prostatic fossa, 41 of 102 in pelvic nodes, and 23 of 102 distantly. Twenty-four patients received androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and were excluded for outcomes analysis. In total, 99 of 146 received SRT with a median follow-up after radiation treatment of 10.5 mo (interquartile range, 6-14 mo). Overall treatment response after SRT was 72% (n = 71/99). Forty-five percent (n = 27/60) of patients with a negative PSMA underwent SRT whereas 55% (33/60) did not. In men with a negative PSMA who received SRT, 85% (n = 23/27) demonstrated a treatment response, compared with a further PSA increase in 65% (22/34) in those not treated. In 36 of 99 patients with disease confined to the prostate fossa on PSMA, 81% (n = 29/36) responded to SRT. In total, 26 of 99 men had nodal disease on PSMA, of whom 61% (n = 16/26) had treatment response after SRT. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, PSMA and serum PSA significantly correlated with treatment response, whereas pT stage, Gleason score, and surgical margin status did not. Conclusion: PSMA PET is independently predictive of treatment response to SRT and stratifies men into a high treatment response to SRT (negative or fossa-confined PSMA) versus men with poor response to SRT (nodes or distant-disease PSMA). In particular, a negative PSMA PET result predicts a high response to salvage fossa radiotherapy.

Abstract 1297: Genetic reclassification of prostate-specific antigen levels for personalized prostate cancer screening

Abstract Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer results missed diagnoses as well as many unnecessary biopsies and their associated morbidities. Because PSA levels are heritable, traditional PSA screening may be improved by adjustment for constitutive germline genetics that influence PSA independently of prostate cancer. Methods: In a previous genome-wide association study in non-Hispanic white men without prostate cancer in the Kaiser Permanente Research Program on Genes, Environment and Health cohort, we identified 40 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) independently and significantly associated with PSA levels. Among them, 24 were not associated with prostate cancer risk. To calculate genetically normalized PSA (i.e., PSA’), we multiplied each man’s most recent PSA measurement by a factor that adjusted for the amount by which his 24 PSA-specific SNPs may have increased his PSA level. We then compared how men without prostate cancer were classified based on their PSA and PSA’ levels with regard to decisions for diagnostic testing. Results: PSA and PSA’ were highly correlated among non-Hispanic white men without prostate cancer (r2: 0.959; 95% CI: 0.958-0.960). Still, 4.6% were reclassified from above to below a cutpoint of 2.5 ng/ml when using the PSA’ measure, and 2.7% were reclassified from below to above this cutpoint (4.6% - 2.7% = 1.9% net reclassified to below the cutoff). The reclassification was even more pronounced when restricting to controls with a negative prostate biopsy: 5.0% downward and 1.5% upward (3.5% net reclassified to below the cutoff). Conclusions: Normalizing PSA levels using germline PSA variants may reduce the number of subjects without prostate cancer receiving unnecessary biopsies. Citation Format: Rebecca E. Graff, Thomas J. Hoffmann, Michael N. Passarelli, Nima C. Emami, Lori C. Sakoda, Eric Jorgenson, Laurel A. Habel, Jun Shan, Dilrini K. Ranatunga, Charles P. Quesenberry, Chun R. Chao, Nirupa R. Ghai, David Aaronson, Joseph Presti, Tobias Nordström, Zhaoming Wang, Sonja I. Berndt, Stephen J. Chanock, Jonathan D. Mosley, Robert J. Klein, Mridu Middha, Hans Lilja, Olle Melander, Mark N. Kvale, Pui-Yan Kwok, Catherine Schaefer, Neil Risch, Neil Risch, Stephen K. Van Den Eeden, John S. Witte. Genetic reclassification of prostate-specific antigen levels for personalized prostate cancer screening [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1297. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1297