Method Utilizing Repeat PSA Screening for Diagnosis of Virulent Prostate Cancer

摘要

A method for detecting aggressive prostate cancer is described, for instance for use in determination of the need for biopsy based. Disclosed methods recognize the difference in PSA rate of change for men in different prostate health states and having different risk profiles so as to provide a route for earlier detection of aggressive prostate cancer, for example in asymptomatic men.

主权项

1. A method for detection of aggressive prostate cancer in a subject, the method comprising:
obtaining three or more PSA concentration levels from an individual, the PSA concentration levels being obtained at times spaced apart from one another; generating multiple individualized reference growth curves for multiple different prostate health scenarios for the individual; modeling by use of the three or more PSA concentration levels a first PSA/time relationship based upon a linear PSA growth curve and a second PSA/time relationship based upon an exponential PSA growth curve; carrying out a regression on each of the first and second PSA time relationship models to determine the best fitted model and thereby determine which of the multiple individualized reference growth curves best describes a change in the individual's three or more PSA concentration levels; using the best fitted model, obtaining the PSA rate of change for the individual through determination of the derivative of the best fitted model; and comparing the PSA rate of change for the individual thus obtained to a threshold value; wherein upon a finding that the PSA rate of change for the individual is greater than the threshold value, a prostate biopsy is carried out on the individual.