Serum Prostate-specific Antigen Levels Research Articles

Exposure to environmental pollutants and genetic variants related to oxidative stress and xenobiotic metabolism—Association with prostate cancer

This study assessed whether genetic variants coding for certain enzymes involved in xenobiotic detoxification, antioxidant defences and DNA repair, along with exposure to environmental chemicals, were associated with an increased prostate cancer (PCa) risk. The study population consisted of 300 men (150 PCa cases and 150 controls) which underwent prostate biopsy as their serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were greater than 4 ng/ml. Genetic variants in GSTM1, GSTP1, SOD2, CAT, GPX1, XRCC1 were determined and data for chemical exposures was obtained through a structured questionnaire and by biomonitoring in a subsample of cases and controls. High serum PSA levels were associated with a greater risk of PCa, while physical exercise appears to exert a protective effect against its development. In addition, elevated urinary levels of certain organic pollutants, such as benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), bisphenol A (BPA), and ethyl-paraben (EPB), were associated with an increased risk of PCa.

The role of multiparametric magnetic resonance ımaging in the diagnosis of granulomatous prostatitis mimicking prostate cancer.

Aimed to investigate the role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) in the diagnosis of granulomatous prostatitis caused by intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). In this prospective, single-center study, 10 male patients who were given intravesical BCG due to intermediate- and high-risk bladder cancer were included. Before transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURB), all patients were evaluated by mp-MRI, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and digital rectal examination (DRE). Serum PSA levels and DRE findings were evaluated before and after intravesical BCG treatment. Prostate mp-MRI was performed for patients with elevated levels of serum PSA and/or with abnormal DRE findings. Then, MRI fusion + systematic prostate biopsy was performed. Demographic data of the patients before and after intravesical BCG were compared. The average age of the patients was 66.9years (55-87years). While PSA was 1.7ng/ml before intravesical BCG treatment, it was 4.3ng/ml after intravesical BCG treatment (p = 0.005). PSA density (PSAD) was 0.04 and 0.10 before and after the treatment, respectively (p = 0.012). DRE findings of all patients were normal before the treatment. However, abnormal findings were detected in 80% of them after the treatment (p = 0.008). PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions were found to be significantly higher in all patients after intravesical BCG (p = 0.004). Granulomatous prostatitis is a rare complication of intravesical BCG. High PSA, abnormal DRE, and PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions detected after intravesical BCG should suggest granulomatous prostatitis and unnecessary biopsies may be avoided.

Effects of natural extract interventions in prostate cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BackgroundOver years, there has been a widespread quest for effective dietary patterns and natural extracts to mitigate prostate cancer risk. However, despite numerous experimental studies conducted on various natural extracts, the evidence substantiating their efficacy remains largely insufficient. This dearth of compelling evidence presents a significant challenge in advocating for their widespread use as preventive measures against prostate cancer. ObjectiveOur study endeavors to undertake a network meta-analysis to evaluate the influence of natural extracts on prostate cancer. MethodsResearchers systematically searched through Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases until December 2023. The main focus was on assessing primary outcomes comprising prostate-specific antigen (PSA), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). We conducted data analysis utilizing StataMP 15.0 software. Therapeutic effects were ranked based on the probability values derived from Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curve (SUCRA). Additionally, cluster analysis was employed to assess the impacts of natural extracts on three distinct outcomes. ResultsFollowing screening procedures, the 28 eligible studies were incorporated, the selected studies encompassed 1,566 prostate cancer patients and evaluated 16 different natural extract treatments. Specifically, 24 trials included PSA indicators, 10 included IGF-1 indicators, and 8 included IGFBP-3 indicators. The findings revealed that, based on the SUCRA values, the combined therapy of silybin with selenium (74%) appears to be the most effective approach for reducing serum PSA levels. Simultaneously, silybin alone (84.6%) stands out as the most promising option for decreasing serum IGF-1 levels. Lastly, concerning IGFBP-3, silybin alone (67.7%) emerges as the optimal choice. Twelve studies provided comprehensive information on adverse drug reactions/events (ADR/ADE), whereas five articles did not report any significant ADR/ADE. ConclusionThe NMA suggests that, compared to placebo, utilizing silybin either alone or in combination with selenium has been shown to enhance therapeutic effects, offering potential benefits to patients with prostate cancer. This study can offer valuable insights for prostate patients considering natural extract treatments. Further evidence is required to confirm the safety profile of these treatments.

Correlation Between Serum Prostatic Specific Antigen and Prostatic Volume in Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a serine protease produced by the prostate epithelium and per urethral glands in male. Serum PSA elevation occurs as a result of disruption of normal prostatic architecture that allows PSA to diffuse into prostatic tissue and gain access to the circulation.  Prostatic hyperplasia is a progressive condition characterized by prostate enlargement accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MethodsThe objective is to investigate the correlation between serum PSA levels and trans abdominal USG prostate volume in clinically diagnosed cases with prostatic hyperplasia. This is a hospital based study conducted in the Department of Radiology and Medicine at Bharatpur Hospital. All cases diagnosed clinically underwent USG by radiologist and serum PSA estimation was done in the lab by Elisa method. 150 cases were studied. ResultsAge of 51-60 years with a percentage of 29.30%, consisted of 67 patients with a volume of 20.00-39.99 cc (44.7%), 87 patients with PSA levels of <2.6 ng/mL (58.0%), prostate volume is 20.00-> 80 cc at the age of 51-60 years, PSA levels <2.6->20 ng / mL at the age of 51-60 years and value of p = 0,000 (p<0.05) and the value of r = 107.57, implying that prostate volume and PSA levels has a significant and strong correlation.Conclusions There is a significant association between prostate volume and PSA levels in BPH patients in our study, with p = 0,000 and r =107.59 showing a strong positive correlation.

Abstract 3420: Androgen receptor (CAG)n polymorphism: A genomic marker for prostate cancer prognosis independent of histopathological parameters

Abstract The androgen receptor (AR) serves as a pivotal transcription factor in prostate cancer (PCa) development. Its transcriptional activity is linked to the number of glutamines in the N-terminal domain. While current screening for PCa and prognostic biomarkers include serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and histopathological characteristics (specifically, ISUP grade and margin involvement), the heterogeneity of these tumors underscores the need for additional markers to enhance clinical management. Thus, this study aimed at characterizing an Argentinian PCa patient cohort based on the CAG polymorphism (CAG)n in AR and establish associations between genotypes and clinical-pathological characteristics to refine disease prognosis. We designed a hospital-based case-case study for PCa patients to determine the association between AR polymorphisms and PCa biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy (RP). We retrospectively recruited 112 patients histologically diagnosed with PCa at the Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina. All patients underwent RP as their primary therapeutic strategy. All patients were, by definition, Hispanics, predominantly of Caucasian ancestry and, at a lesser extent, Amerindian or African. Written informed consent and institutional review board approval were acquired. Blood samples were collected post-RP for genomic DNA extraction using the CTAB method. (CAG)n in AR was genotyped by fluorescent PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis, and correlations between genotypes and clinical-pathological variables were analyzed using R. Results categorized patients into three subgroups based on the length of the CAG tandem repeat in AR: long (>23 repeats, n=29), medium (20-23 repeats, n=44), and short (<20 repeats, n=38). No associations were found between the length of the polymorphism and age of diagnosis, pre-RP PSA serum values, ISUP grade, and margin involvement. However, patients with family cancer history had a higher frequency of the intermediate-length allele (p=0.02). Moreover, among patients with pre-RP PSA <10 ng/ml and intermediate-length allele had 2.72-fold risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) (HR=2.72, 95%CI=1.05-7.03, p=0.039). Furthermore, multivariable BCR analysis including the ISUP grade and margin involvement as co-variates showed that the (CAG)n in AR was independent of these histopathological parameters (HRadj=3.37, 95%IC=1.24-9.10, padj=0.017). Altogether, the AR polymorphism is associated with family history of cancer. Consequently, determining the number of CAG repetitions in AR through a blood sample could serve as an independent prognostic marker in patients with PSA <10 ng/ml prior to PR, independent of the histopathological features. Citation Format: Gastón Mario Pascual, Agustina Sabater, Juan Bizzotto, Rocio Seniuk, Pablo Sanchis, Carlos M. Roggero, Carlos Scorticati, Osvaldo Mazza, Elba Vazquez, Ayelen Toro, Geraldine Gueron, Javier Cotignola. Androgen receptor (CAG)n polymorphism: A genomic marker for prostate cancer prognosis independent of histopathological parameters [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3420.

Prognostic Performance of RECIP 1.0 Based on [18F]PSMA-1007 PET in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T.

In metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT), the recently proposed criteria for evaluating response to PSMA PET (RECIP 1.0) based on 68Ga- and 18F-labeled PET agents provided prognostic information in addition to changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic performance of this framework for overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing RLT and imaged with [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT and compare the prognostic performance with the PSA-based response assessment. Methods: In total, 73 patients with mCRPC who were scanned with [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT before and after 2 cycles of RLT were retrospectively analyzed. We calculated the changes in serum PSA levels (ΔPSA) and quantitative PET parameters for the whole-body tumor burden (SUVmean, SUVmax, PSMA tumor volume, and total lesion PSMA). Men were also classified following the Prostate Cancer Working Group 3 (PCWG3) criteria for ΔPSA and RECIP 1.0 for PET imaging response. We performed univariable Cox regression analysis, followed by multivariable and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results: Median OS was 15 mo with a median follow-up time of 14 mo. Univariable Cox regression analysis provided significant associations with OS for ΔPSA (per percentage, hazard ratio [HR], 1.004; 95% CI, 1.002-1.007; P < 0.001) and PSMA tumor volume (per unit, HR, 1.003; 95% CI, 1.000-1.005; P = 0.03). Multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed ΔPSA (per percentage, HR, 1.004; 95% CI, 1.001-1.006; P = 0.006) as an independent prognosticator for OS. Kaplan-Meier analyses provided significant segregation between individuals with versus those without any PSA response (19 mo vs. 14 mo; HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 0.95-4.18; P = 0.04). Differentiation between patients with or without progressive disease (PD) was also feasible when applying PSA-based PCWG3 (19 mo vs. 9 mo for non-PD and PD, respectively; HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.03-5.09; P = 0.01) but slightly failed when applying RECIP 1.0 (P = 0.08). A combination of both response systems (PCWG3 and RECIP 1.0), however, yielded the best discrimination between individuals without versus those with PD (19 mo vs. 8 mo; HR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.32-5.86; P = 0.002). Conclusion: In patients with mCRPC treated with RLT and imaged with [18F]PSMA-1007, frameworks integrating both the biochemical (PCWG3) and PET-based response (RECIP 1.0) may best assist in identifying subjects prone to disease progression.

Significance of the cribriform morphology area ratio for biochemical recurrence in Gleason score 4 + 4 prostate cancer patients following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

In prostate cancer, histological cribriform patterns are categorized as Gleason pattern 4, and recent studies have indicated that their size and percentage are associated with the risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR). However, these studies included a mixture of cases with various Gleason scores (GSs). We therefore examined the prognostic value of the area and percentage of cribriform patterns in patients with GS 4 + 4 prostate cancer. We investigated 108 patients with GS 4 + 4 prostate cancer who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). After digitally scanning the hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, we measured the area of the entire cancer and cribriform patterns. Predictive factors for BCR were explored using log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model analyses. Sixty-seven (62.0%) patients had a cribriform pattern in RARP specimens, and 32 (29.6%) experienced BCR. The median total cancer area, cribriform pattern area, and percentage of cribriform pattern area (% cribriform) were 427.70 mm2 (interquartile range [IQR], 171.65-688.53 mm2 ), 8.85 mm2 (IQR, 0-98.83 mm2 ), and 2.44% (IQR, 0%-33.70%), respectively. Univariate analyses showed that higher preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, positive resection margins, advanced pathological T stage, extraprostatic extension, larger total cancer area, larger cribriform morphology area, and higher % cribriform values were significantly associated with BCR. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the PSA level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.061; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011-1.113; p = 0.017) and % cribriform (HR, 1.018; 95% CI, 1.005-1.031; p = 0.005) were independent predictors of BCR. An increased % cribriform value was associated with BCR in patients with GS 4 + 4 prostate cancer following RARP.

Evaluation of Perioperative Clinical Parameters and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Radical Perineal or Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Prospective Randomized Study

Objective: The objective of study is to investigate the effects of radical retropubic and perineal prostatectomy methods in addition to the effect of pelvic lymph node dissection on perioperative morbidities, oncological outcomes and 1-year quality of life in patients with clinically local stage prostate cancer. Material and methods: Patients admitted to our clinic between January 2013 and March 2015 and diagnosed with clinically localized stage prostate cancer were included. A total of 103 patients were randomized into 3 groups in which 38 patients received radical perineal prostatectomy(RPP), 31 had radical retropubic prostatectomy(RRP), and 34 RRP with pelvic lymph node dissection(PLND). Age, comorbidities, preoperative Gleason scores and serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA) data as well as the surgical parameters, clinical and pathological stages, and 1-year follow-up data were recorded for each patient.“Extended prostate cancer index composite (EPIC)” and “SF-12v2™ Health Survey(Version 2.0)” questionnaires were used for overall and disease-specific quality of life at month 0, 1, 6 and 12 visits. Results: No difference was found between the groups with regard to preoperative data such as age, serum PSA levels, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score and Charlson comorbidity index while intraoperative data for the amount of bleeding and the average amount of transfusion were significantly lower in RPP group(RPP:645cc, RRP:960cc, RRP+PLND:890cc).1-year recurrencefree survivals for RPP, RRP, and RRP+PLND groups were 9.9 months, 11.2 months and 10.2 months, respectively, with no significant difference.Overall and prostate cancer-specific quality of life was similar for all 3 groups.No additional benefit with nerve-sparing surgery was shown in any of the groups in terms of incontinence and erectile functions. Conclusion: Perineal dissection is beneficial in terms of the amount of bleeding and blood transfusion while prolonged postoperative drainage and wound infection rates are higher compared to retropubic approach.All 3 groups were similar in urinary, sexual, gastrointestinal and hormonal functions as well as the quality of life.

MpMRI-targeted biopsy of the prostate in men ≥ 75 years. 7-year report from a high-volume referral center.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) -Ultrasound- fusion guided biopsy of the prostate (FBx) is the new gold standard for the detection of prostate cancer. Hallmark studies showing superior detection rates of FBx over randomized biopsies routinely excluded patients≥75 years and information on outcome of FBx on this patient cohort is sparse. As a large referral center, we have performed FBx on a substantial number of patients this age. By evaluating outcome of FBx of patients over the age of 75 years we wanted to close the gap of knowledge on this patient cohort. Between 2015 -2022, 1577 patients underwent FBx at our department and were considered for analysis. Clinical and histopathological parameters were recorded. Clinical data comprised age at FBx, serum level of Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, PSA-density, history of previous biopsies of the prostate, result of the digital rectal examination (DRE) and assessment of the indexlesion of mpMRI according to the Prostate Imaging and Reporting Data System (PI-RADS). Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify age barrier of 75 years as a potential risk factor of detection of clinically significant prostate cancer by FBx. 379/1577 patients (24%) were≥75 years and 1198/1577 (76%) patients were < 75 years, respectively. Preoperative PSA was significantly higher in patients≥75 years compared to patients < 75 years (9.54 vs. 7.8, p < 0.001). Patients≥75 years presented significantly more often with mpMRI target lesions classified as PI-RADS 5 compared to patients < 75 years (45% vs. 29%, p < 0.001). Detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer was significantly higher in patients≥75 years compared to patients < 75 years (63% vs. 43%, p < 0.001). Aggressive prostate cancer grade ISUP 5 was significantly more often detected in patients≥75 years compared to patients < 75 years (13% vs. 8%, p = 0.03). On multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for PSA and PI-RADS score, age barrier of 75 years was identified as a significant risk factor for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer by FBx (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.36 -2.31, p < 0.001). After evaluation of a large patient cohort, we show that age≥75 years represents a significant risk factor for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. Further studies on mid- and long term outcome are necessary to draw conclusions for clinical decision making in this patient cohort.

High-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training for localized prostate cancer under active surveillance: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) have been increasingly adopted for localized prostate cancer (PCa) under active surveillance (AS). However, it is unclear which training modality is the most favorable in terms of cardiorespiratory fitness and biochemical progression. We searched PubMed, Cochrane and Embase for relevant RCTs. PRISMA guideline was adopted to ensure optimal conduct of this study. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and peak VO2 were selected as primary outcomes and PSA doubling time (PSADT) and testosterone were selected as secondary outcomes. Only articles written in English were included. Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used for risk of bias evaluation. A total of 501 studies were selected. Six RCTs with 222 patients were included for data extraction and analysis. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) group demonstrated significantly lower PSA compared with usual care (UC) (MD = -1.4; 95%CI = -2.77 to -0.03) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) group (MD = -1.67; 95%CI = -3.30 to -0.05). Both HIIT and MICT showed significantly improved peak VO2 compared with UC. No significant difference was observed in PSADT and testosterone among different training modalities and UC. Regarding peak VO2, MICT had the highest surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) scores (98.1%). For serum PSA, HIIT had the highest probability (97.8%) to be the training with the highest efficacy. The potential source of bias mainly came from poorly performed allocation concealment and blinding strategies. The present study indicated that HIIT and MICT showed considerable cardiorespiratory benefits for localized PCa. HIIT was preferred over MICT in biochemical progression control in terms of decreasing serum PSA levels. However, MICT was favored over HIIT regarding cardiorespiratory benefits. The findings of this study may facilitate future lifestyle intervention, particularly in the form of physical training, for individuals diagnosed with localized PCa under AS.

Pre-treatment 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT Prognostic Value in Predicting Response to 177Lu-PSMA-I&T Therapy and Patient Survival

PurposeTo assess the prognostic value of pre-treatment [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and other baseline clinical characteristics in predicting prostate cancer (PCa) patients response to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA (PSMA-I&T), as well as patient survival.ProceduresIn this retrospective study, 81 patients who received [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T between October 2018 and January 2023 were reviewed. Eligible patients had metastatic castration-resistant PCa, underwent pre-treatment [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, and had serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels available. On PET/CT images, SUVmax, SULmax, SUVpeak, and SULpeak of the most-avid tumoral lesion, as well as SUVmean of the parotid gland (P-SUVmean) and liver (L-SUVmean), were measured. Also, whole-body PSMA tumour volume (PSMA-TV) and total lesion PSMA (TL-PSMA) were calculated. To interpret treatment response after [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T, a composite of PSA values and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT findings were considered. The outcomes were dichotomised into progressive versus controlled (stable disease or partial response) disease. Then, the association of baseline parameters with patient response was evaluated. Also, survival analyses were performed to assess baseline parameters in predicting overall survival.ResultsSixty patients (age:73 ± 8, PSA:185 ± 371) were included. Patients received at least one cycle of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy (median = 4). Overall, half of the patients showed disease progression. In the progressive versus controlled disease evaluation, the highest SULmax, as well as SUVmax and SULmax to both backgrounds (L-SUVmean and P-SUVmean), were significantly correlated with the outcome (p-values < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, only SULmax to the L-SUVmean remained significant (p-value = 0.038). The best cut-off was 8 (AUC = 0.71). With a median follow-up of 360 days, 11 mortal events were documented. In the multivariate survival analysis, only SULmax to P-SUVmean (cut-off = 2.4; p-value = 0.043) retained significance (hazard ratio = 4.0).ConclusionsA greater level of PSMA uptake, specifically higher tumour-to-background uptake in the hottest lesion, may hold substantial prognostic significance, considering both [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T response and patient survival. These ratios may have the potential to be used for PCa patient selection for radioligand therapy.

Exposure to heavy metal elements may significantly increase serum prostate-specific antigen levels with overdosed dietary zinc

BackgroundSerum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a primary metric for diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa). Exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and zinc can impact PSA levels in PCa patients. However, it is unclear whether this effect also occurs in men without PCa, which may lead to the overdiagnosis of PCa. MethodData on a total of 5089 American men who had never been diagnosed with PCa were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed from 2003–2010. The relationship between serum PSA levels (dependent variable) and concentrations of lead (μmol/L), cadmium (nmol/L), and mercury (μmol/L) were investigated with dietary zinc intake being used as a potential modifier or covariate in a weighted linear regression model and a generalized additive model. A series of bootstrapping analyses were performed to evaluate sensitivity and specificity using these models. ResultsRegression analyses suggested that, in general, lead, cadmium, or mercury did not show an association with PSA levels, which was consistent with the results of the bootstrapping analyses. However, in a subgroup of participants with a high level of dietary zinc intake (≥14.12 mg/day), a significant positive association between cadmium and serum PSA was identified (1.06, 95% CI, P = 0.0268, P for interaction=0.0249). ConclusionsWith high-level zinc intake, serum PSA levels may rise in PCa-free men as the exposure to cadmium increases, leading to a potential risk of an overdiagnosis of PCa and unnecessary treatment. Therefore, environmental variables should be factored in the current diagnostic model for PCa that is solely based on PSA measurements. Different criteria for PSA screening are necessary based on geographical variables. Further investigations are needed to uncover the biological and biochemical relationship between zinc, cadmium, and serum PSA levels to more precisely diagnose PCa.

HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF PROSTATIC LESIONS AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH SERUM PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVELS

Objectives: The present study is conducted to find out the histopathological spectrum of different prostatic biopsies and compare them with respective serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and grading, scoring of malignant lesions according to Gleason’s group grading system. Methods: A total 165 prostatic biopsies from patients of &gt;50 years of age groups were included in the study. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, R.N.T. Medical College, Udaipur, over a period of 1 year. The specimens were examined for various prostatic pathologies by doing histopathological examination and their serum PSA values were correlated. Results: On histopathological examination, 76.9% of cases were of benign lesions, 14% of cases had prostatic malignancy, 6.6% of cases of inflammatory lesions, and 2.4% of cases of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Majority of inflammatory lesions, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and BPH with prostatitis had PSA level &lt;4 ng/mL. In malignant cases, majority had PSA levels above 10 ng/mL. In prostatic adenocarcinoma, 56.32% of cases were found moderately differentiated grade (G2) followed by 30.43% of cases were of well-differentiated grade (G1) and 13.04% of cases of poorly differentiated grade (G3-G4). Conclusion: The study showed a statistically positive correlation between histological diagnosis and serum PSA level.

HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF PROSTATE SPECIMENS

Objectives: (The objectives of the study are as follows: 1) To study various histomorphological patterns of transurethral resection of prostate specimens. (2) To classify malignant lesions with Gleason’s grading and to do Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and immunohistochemistry as required. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2022 to June 2023 in a tertiary care hospital. Fifty-seven patients study who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery with hypertrophied prostate during the study period were included in the study on the basis of a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic characteristics of all the cases were analyzed. Clinical features, presenting complaints, histopathological findings, and the final diagnosis were studied. For statistical purposes, p value &lt; 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The majority of the participants were in the age group of 60–69 years (42.11%) followed by people in the age group of 70–79 years (35.09%). Benign disease of prostrate was common than the malignant disease. BHP was the most common disease encountered and was seen in 37 (64.91%) cases. Among 37 patients with BHP, 70.27% (26) patients had increased PSA levels. Among 10 patients of BHP with CP 8 (80%) patients had increased levels of PSA. Serum PSA levels were increased in all the cases of malignancy, Adenocarcinoma prostate and PIN. Conclusion: In patients undergoing TURP modified Gleason scoring patterns and prognostic grade grouping should be done in conjunction for assessing prognosis and management. Immunohistochemistry and molecular genetic analysis are valuable adjuncts to the diagnosis in these cases.

Effect of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Prostate Cancer Detection.

Concerns exist regarding the effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) on multipa-rametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) detection. Our objective is to analyze the effect of 5-ARI on the prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) distribution and csPCa and insignificant PCa (iPCa) detection. Among 2212 men with serum prostate-specific antigen levels of >3.0 ng/mL and/or suspicious digital rectal examinations who underwent mpMRI and targeted and/or systematic biopsies, 120 individuals exposed to 5-ARI treatment for over a year were identified. CsPCa was defined when the grade group (GG) was >2. The overall csPCa and iPCa detection rates were 44.6% and 18.8%, respectively. Since logistic regression revealed independent predictors of PCa, a randomized matched group of 236 individuals was selected for analysis. The PI-RADS distribution was comparable with 5-ARI exposure (p 0.685). The CsPCa detection rates in 5-ARI-naïve men and 5-ARI-exposed men were 52.6% and 47.4%, respectively (p 0.596). IPCa was detected in 37.6 and 62.5%, respectively (p 0.089). The tumor GG distribution based on 5-ARI exposure was similar (p 0.149) to the rates of csPCa and iPCa across the PI-RADS categories. We conclude that exposure to 5-ARI in suspected PCa men did not change the PI-RADS distribution and the csPCa and iPCa detection rates.

Determination of enzalutamide long-term safety and efficacy for castration-resistant prostate cancer patients after combined anti-androgen blockade followed by alternative anti-androgen therapy: a multicenter prospective DELC study.

Alternative anti-androgen therapy has been widely used as a first-line treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer, and it may affect treatment outcome of subsequent agents targeting the androgen receptor axis. We conducted the prospective observational DELC (Determination of Enzalutamide Long-term safety and efficacy for Castration-resistant prostate cancer patients after combined anti-androgen blockade followed by alternative anti-androgen therapy) study to evaluate the efficacy of enzalutamide in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer who underwent prior combined androgen blockade with bicalutamide and then alternative anti-androgen therapy with flutamide. The DELC study enrolled 163 Japanese patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer who underwent alternative anti-androgen therapy with flutamide following failure of initial combined androgen blockade with bicalutamide in multiple institutions between January 2016 and March 2019. Primary endpoint was overall survival. Administration of enzalutamide was started at 160mg orally once daily in all patients. The rate of decline of prostate-specific antigen by 50% or more was 72.2%, and median overall survival was 42.05months. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher pretreatment serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (≥11.3ng/mL; P=0.004), neuron-specific enolase (P=0.014) and interleukin-6 (≥2.15pg/mL; P=0.004) were independent risk factors for overall survival. Fatigue (30.0%), constipation (19.6%) and appetite loss (17.8%) were the most common clinically relevant adverse events. The enzalutamide dose was not reduced in any patient under the age of 70, but adherence was decreased in those over 70. In the DELC study, the safety of enzalutamide was comparable to that in previous reports. Serum levels of neuron-specific enolase and interleukin-6 were suggested as prognostic factors for castration-resistant prostate cancer with potential clinical utility.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Malaria Infections, and High Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Levels among Individuals at the Rivers State University, Nigeria: Findings of a Free Medical Outreach

Background: Co-morbidity of infections and non-infectious diseases is increasing in developing societies with little effort in identifying these trends. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, malaria infections, and high serum prostate-specific antigen levels among individuals and residents at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.&#x0D; Experimental Design: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study, which consisted of 501 participants in a free medical outreach organized by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Rivers State University Chapter, Rivers State, Nigeria, in commemoration of the 2022 International Biomedical Day. The test subjects consisted of males and females, who were students, staff, and residents at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The age range of the test subjects was 18-64 years.&#x0D; Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study encompassed 501 adults (males and females) who gave consent for their blood screening during our free medical outreach. As a procedure, venous blood specimens were collected at the antecubital fossa from the attendees by venipuncture technique and were screened forH. Pylori antibody, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, malaria parasite, and prostate-specific antigen with the use of Accu-Tell rapid diagnostic test kits. Each test was read within 10 minutes. Red lines on the test zone and control zones of the test kits were read and recorded as positive cases, while a red line on the control zone and the absence of a red line on the test zone of the test kit were read, and recorded as negative case, in line with the rapid diagnostic manufacturer’s instructions.&#x0D; Results: Out of a total of 501 participants, the prevalence of H. pylori, M. tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum, and prostate-specific antigen were 9 (1.79 %), 3 (0.6 %), 12 (2.40 %), 6 (4.65 %%) respectively. The sex-based comparison showed that males have the same prevalence for all infectious diseases (H. pylori, M. tuberculosis, and P. falciparum) of 3 (2.32 %), and 6 (4.65 %) for a prostate-specific antigen. For the females, the prevalence of H. pylori, M. tuberculosis and P. falciparum were 6 (2.20 %), 0 (0.00 %), and 9 (2.42 %) respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: M. tuberculosis prevalence was observed to be greater in the males than in the females of the studied population while that of H. pylori was observed to be higher in the females than the male participants. So continuous screening of the public to monitor and prepare them against the insurgence of these diseases which are of public health concern is important.

Unusual PSMA uptake in seronegative paraneoplastic brainstem encephalitis: A case report

Paraneoplastic encephalitis, especially seronegative, is a heterogeneous group of disorders with varied symptoms at presentation. We present the case of a 63-year-old male who presented with motor weakness and altered sensorium. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed altered signal intensity in the midbrain, pons, anterior part of the medulla, and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle. T2 hyperintensity was also seen in the bilateral basal ganglia and internal capsule region. 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18 FDG PET/CT) showed increased FDG uptake in the brain stem, left thalamus, and periventricular location. 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT done in view of elevated serum Prostate-specific antigen levels show a focal PSMA-avid lesion in the prostate gland and increased PSMA uptake in the brain stem, which is an atypical site of PSMA uptake. Our study highlights the importance of paraneoplastic syndromes with varied clinical presentation and low specificity to antibodies. These spectra of diseases are fatal but treatable and therefore should be evaluated diligently to reduce morbidity

Determining the optimal pharmacokinetic modelling and simplified quantification method of [18F]AlF-P16-093 for patients with primary prostate cancer (PPCa).

This paper discusses the optimization of pharmacokinetic modelling and alternate simplified quantification method for [18F]AlF-P16-093, a novel tracer for in vivo imaging of prostate cancer. Dynamic PET/CT scans were conducted on eight primary prostate cancer patients, followed by a whole-body scan at 60 min post-injection. Time-activity curves (TACs) were obtained by drawing volumes of interest for primary prostatic and metastatic lesions. Optimal kinetic modelling involved evaluating three compartmental models (1T2K, 2T3K, and 2T4K) accounting for fractional blood volume (Vb). The simplified quantification method was then determined based on the correlation between the static uptake measure and total distribution volume (Vt) obtained from the optimal pharmacokinetic analysis. In total, 17 intraprostatic lesions, 10 lymph nodes, and 36 osseous metastases were evaluated. Visually, the contrast of the tumor increased and showed the steepest incline within the first few minutes, whereas background activity decreased over time. Full pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that a reversible two-compartmental (2T4K) model is the preferred kinetic model for the given tracer. The kinetic parameters K1, k3, Vb, and Vt were all significantly higher in lesions when compared with normal tissue (P < 0.01). Several simplified protocols were tested for approximating comprehensive dynamic quantification in tumors, with image-based SURmean (the ratio of tumor SUVmean to blood SUVmean) within the 28-34 min window found to be sufficient for approximating the total distribution Vt values (R2 = 0.949, P < 0.01). Both Vt and SURmean correlated significantly with the total serum prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) levels (P < 0.01). This study introduced an optimized pharmacokinetic modelling approach and a simplified acquisition method for [18F]AlF-P16-093, a novel PSMA-targeted radioligand, highlighting the feasibility of utilizing one static PET imaging (between 30 and 60 min) for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Note that the image-derived input function in this study may not reflect the true corrected plasma input function, therefore the interpretation of the associated kinetic parameter estimates should be done with caution.

Investigating Efficient Risk-Stratified Pathways for the Early Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer.

Risk-stratified pathways (RSPs) are recommended by the European Association of Uro-logy (EAU) to improve the early detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). RSPs can reduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demand, prostate biopsies, and the over-detection of insignificant PCa (iPCa). Our goal is to analyze the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of several RSPs by using sequential stratifications from the serum prostate-specific antigen level and digital rectal examination, the Barcelona risk calculators (BCN-RCs), MRI, and Proclarix™. In a cohort of 567 men with a serum PSA level above 3.0 ng/mL who underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and targeted and/or systematic biopsies, the risk of csPCa was retrospectively assessed using Proclarix™ and BCN-RCs 1 and 2. Six RSPs were compared with those recommended by the EAU that, stratifying men from MRI, avoided 16.7% of prostate biopsies with a prostate imaging-reporting and data system score of <3, with 2.6% of csPCa cases remaining undetected. The most effective RSP avoided mpMRI exams in men with a serum PSA level of >10 ng/mL and suspicious DRE, following stratifications from BCN-RC 1, mpMRI, and Proclarix™. The demand for mpMRI decreased by 19.9%, prostate biopsies by 19.8%, and over-detection of iPCa by 22.7%, while 2.6% of csPCa remained undetected as in the recommended RSP. Cost-effectiveness remained when the Proclarix™ price was assumed to be below EUR 200.