Are multiple markers the future of prostate cancer diagnostics?

Clin Biochem. 2004 Jul;37(7):519-28. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2004.05.016.

Abstract

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most successful and widely employed cancer serum marker in use today. There is growing evidence that the introduction of wide PSA screening and earlier detection can result in decreased cancer mortality associated with a decline in metastatic disease. PSA circulates in a number of distinct forms. Measurement of these in addition to total PSA significantly increases diagnostic utility. Diagnostic utility is likely to be further increased by adding kallikreins, cytokines, growth factors, receptors and cellular adhesion factors to the biomarker panel. The need for multiple markers reflects the multidimensional nature of prostate disease which ranges from metastatic cancer to indolent cancer to benign hyperplasia and inflammation, all of which require distinct treatments and medical interventions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / blood
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Forecasting
  • Growth Substances / blood
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / blood
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood*
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proteomics
  • Tissue Kallikreins / blood

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cytokines
  • Growth Substances
  • Isoenzymes
  • Tissue Kallikreins
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen