Three Gene Urine Test for Prostate Cancer May Eliminate Invasive Biopsies
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 11 Apr 2016 |
|
Image: Micrograph of a needle biopsy specimen of prostate adenocarcinoma, acinar type, the most common type of prostate cancer (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
A real-time PCR assay that measures levels of RNA generated by three prostate cancer-linked genes may someday replace classical detection methods for this disease and eliminate the need for invasive biopsies.
In a recent study, investigators at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA) used the Exosome Diagnostics (Cambridge, MA, USA) ExoDxTM Prostate(IntelliScore) assay to detect RNA from three genes (ERG, PCA3, and SPDEF) that have been linked to the development and progression of prostate cancer. The RNA was encapsulated in lipid membrane-coated structures called exosomes that were excreted by cancer cells into urine.
In the study, prostate biopsy results from 774 men with PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels between two and 10 were compared to a composite score that was based on results of the urine test plus other risk factors, including PSA level, age, race, and family history of the disease.
Results revealed that the assay had correctly identified 92% of men with high-grade cancer. However, the test also predicted high-grade cancer in 66% of men whose biopsies revealed low-grade or no cancer. In clinical practice, use of the test would have spared 27% of men from having an unnecessary prostate biopsy.
“The test has the potential to be a significant improvement over PSA alone in distinguishing between low- and high-grade prostate cancers, especially in the PSA gray zone patient. It could reduce hundreds of thousands of invasive biopsies each year. Given the pain and risks associated with performing a prostate biopsy, that is not a trivial thing,” said first author Dr. James McKiernan, professor of urology at Columbia University. "In addition, the test is the only urine-based assay that does not require a digital rectal exam prior to collection and is easily integrated in the clinic environment."
The study was published in the March 31, 2016, online edition of the journal JAMA Oncology.
Related Links:
Columbia University
Exosome Diagnostics
 Analyzer.jpg)
In a recent study, investigators at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA) used the Exosome Diagnostics (Cambridge, MA, USA) ExoDxTM Prostate(IntelliScore) assay to detect RNA from three genes (ERG, PCA3, and SPDEF) that have been linked to the development and progression of prostate cancer. The RNA was encapsulated in lipid membrane-coated structures called exosomes that were excreted by cancer cells into urine.
In the study, prostate biopsy results from 774 men with PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels between two and 10 were compared to a composite score that was based on results of the urine test plus other risk factors, including PSA level, age, race, and family history of the disease.
Results revealed that the assay had correctly identified 92% of men with high-grade cancer. However, the test also predicted high-grade cancer in 66% of men whose biopsies revealed low-grade or no cancer. In clinical practice, use of the test would have spared 27% of men from having an unnecessary prostate biopsy.
“The test has the potential to be a significant improvement over PSA alone in distinguishing between low- and high-grade prostate cancers, especially in the PSA gray zone patient. It could reduce hundreds of thousands of invasive biopsies each year. Given the pain and risks associated with performing a prostate biopsy, that is not a trivial thing,” said first author Dr. James McKiernan, professor of urology at Columbia University. "In addition, the test is the only urine-based assay that does not require a digital rectal exam prior to collection and is easily integrated in the clinic environment."
The study was published in the March 31, 2016, online edition of the journal JAMA Oncology.
Related Links:
Columbia University
Exosome Diagnostics
Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
CBM Analyzer
Complete Blood Morphology (CBM) Analyzer
Homocysteine Quality Control
Liquichek Homocysteine Control
Latest Pathology News
- Engineered Yeast Cells Enable Rapid Testing of Cancer Immunotherapy
- First-Of-Its-Kind Test Identifies Autism Risk at Birth
- AI Algorithms Improve Genetic Mutation Detection in Cancer Diagnostics
- Skin Biopsy Offers New Diagnostic Method for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Fast Label-Free Method Identifies Aggressive Cancer Cells
- New X-Ray Method Promises Advances in Histology
- Single-Cell Profiling Technique Could Guide Early Cancer Detection
- Intraoperative Tumor Histology to Improve Cancer Surgeries
- Rapid Stool Test Could Help Pinpoint IBD Diagnosis
- AI-Powered Label-Free Optical Imaging Accurately Identifies Thyroid Cancer During Surgery
- Deep Learning–Based Method Improves Cancer Diagnosis
- ADLM Updates Expert Guidance on Urine Drug Testing for Patients in Emergency Departments
- New Age-Based Blood Test Thresholds to Catch Ovarian Cancer Earlier
- Genetics and AI Improve Diagnosis of Aortic Stenosis
- AI Tool Simultaneously Identifies Genetic Mutations and Disease Type
- Rapid Low-Cost Tests Can Prevent Child Deaths from Contaminated Medicinal Syrups
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
New PSA-Based Prognostic Model Improves Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among American men, and about one in eight will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Screening relies on blood levels of prostate-specific antigen... Read more
Extracellular Vesicles Linked to Heart Failure Risk in CKD Patients
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 Americans and is strongly associated with cardiovascular complications, which account for more than half of deaths among people with CKD.... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Diagnostic Device Predicts Treatment Response for Brain Tumors Via Blood Test
Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, largely because doctors have no reliable way to determine whether treatments are working in real time. Assessing therapeutic response currently... Read more
Blood Test Detects Early-Stage Cancers by Measuring Epigenetic Instability
Early-stage cancers are notoriously difficult to detect because molecular changes are subtle and often missed by existing screening tools. Many liquid biopsies rely on measuring absolute DNA methylation... Read more
“Lab-On-A-Disc” Device Paves Way for More Automated Liquid Biopsies
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny particles released by cells into the bloodstream that carry molecular information about a cell’s condition, including whether it is cancerous. However, EVs are highly... Read more
Blood Test Identifies Inflammatory Breast Cancer Patients at Increased Risk of Brain Metastasis
Brain metastasis is a frequent and devastating complication in patients with inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options. Despite its high incidence, the biological... Read moreHematology
view channel
New Guidelines Aim to Improve AL Amyloidosis Diagnosis
Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disorder in which abnormal amyloid proteins accumulate in organs. Approximately 3,260 people in the United States are diagnosed... Read more
Fast and Easy Test Could Revolutionize Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are a cornerstone of modern medicine, yet red blood cells can deteriorate quietly while sitting in cold storage for weeks. Although blood units have a fixed expiration date, cells from... Read more
Automated Hemostasis System Helps Labs of All Sizes Optimize Workflow
High-volume hemostasis sections must sustain rapid turnaround while managing reruns and reflex testing. Manual tube handling and preanalytical checks can strain staff time and increase opportunities for error.... Read more
High-Sensitivity Blood Test Improves Assessment of Clotting Risk in Heart Disease Patients
Blood clotting is essential for preventing bleeding, but even small imbalances can lead to serious conditions such as thrombosis or dangerous hemorrhage. In cardiovascular disease, clinicians often struggle... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Blood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more
Whole-Genome Sequencing Approach Identifies Cancer Patients Benefitting From PARP-Inhibitor Treatment
Targeted cancer therapies such as PARP inhibitors can be highly effective, but only for patients whose tumors carry specific DNA repair defects. Identifying these patients accurately remains challenging,... Read more
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
Comprehensive Review Identifies Gut Microbiome Signatures Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and nearly 50 million worldwide, yet early cognitive decline remains difficult to characterize. Increasing evidence suggests... Read more
AI-Powered Platform Enables Rapid Detection of Drug-Resistant C. Auris Pathogens
Infections caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida auris pose a significant threat to hospitalized patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems or those who have invasive medical devices.... Read more
Technology
view channel
Robotic Technology Unveiled for Automated Diagnostic Blood Draws
Routine diagnostic blood collection is a high‑volume task that can strain staffing and introduce human‑dependent variability, with downstream implications for sample quality and patient experience.... Read more
ADLM Launches First-of-Its-Kind Data Science Program for Laboratory Medicine Professionals
Clinical laboratories generate billions of test results each year, creating a treasure trove of data with the potential to support more personalized testing, improve operational efficiency, and enhance patient care.... Read more
Aptamer Biosensor Technology to Transform Virus Detection
Rapid and reliable virus detection is essential for controlling outbreaks, from seasonal influenza to global pandemics such as COVID-19. Conventional diagnostic methods, including cell culture, antigen... Read more
AI Models Could Predict Pre-Eclampsia and Anemia Earlier Using Routine Blood Tests
Pre-eclampsia and anemia are major contributors to maternal and child mortality worldwide, together accounting for more than half a million deaths each year and leaving millions with long-term health complications.... Read moreIndustry
view channel
New Collaboration Brings Automated Mass Spectrometry to Routine Laboratory Testing
Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that identifies and quantifies molecules based on their mass and electrical charge. Its high selectivity, sensitivity, and accuracy make it indispensable... Read more
AI-Powered Cervical Cancer Test Set for Major Rollout in Latin America
Noul Co., a Korean company specializing in AI-based blood and cancer diagnostics, announced it will supply its intelligence (AI)-based miLab CER cervical cancer diagnostic solution to Mexico under a multi‑year... Read more
Diasorin and Fisher Scientific Enter into US Distribution Agreement for Molecular POC Platform
Diasorin (Saluggia, Italy) has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Fisher Scientific, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA, USA), for the LIAISON NES molecular point-of-care... Read more