Abstract Background The Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance (PRIAS) study was initiated a decade ago to study the most optimal selection and follow-up of men on active ...surveillance (AS). Objective We report on 10 yr of follow-up of men on AS in the PRIAS study and evaluate if criteria used to recommend a switch to active treatment truly predict unfavorable outcome on subsequent radical prostatectomy (RP). Design, setting, and participants Men with low-risk prostate cancer were included and followed prospectively on AS. Follow-up consisted of regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, digital rectal examinations, and biopsies. Men with Gleason >3 + 3, more than two positive biopsy cores, or stage higher than cT2 were advised to switch to active treatment (until 2014, a PSA doubling time PSA DT of 0–3 yr was also used). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Reclassification rates, treatment after discontinuation, and outcome on RP after discontinuing AS were reported. Regression analysis on the outcome of RP was used to evaluate the predictive value of criteria currently used to recommend a switch to active treatment. Kaplan-Meier and competing risk analysis were used to report discontinuation rates over time and long-term oncologic end points. Results and limitations A total of 5302 men were included in PRIAS across 18 countries. Reclassification rates remained stable on all subsequent biopsies, with 22–33% of men having either Gleason >3 + 3 or more than two positive cores on any repeat biopsy. At 5 and 10 yr of follow-up, 52% and 73% of men, respectively, had discontinued AS, most of them because of protocol-based reclassification. A third of men undergoing subsequent RP had favorable pathologic tumor features (Gleason 3 + 3 and pT2). Of the criteria used to recommend a switch to active treatment, more than two positive cores and a PSA DT of 0–3 yr were not predictive of unfavorable pathologic outcome on RP. Conclusions A substantial group of men discontinued AS without subsequent unfavorable tumor features on RP; therefore, we propose Gleason upgrading and cT3 as the only indicators for an immediate switch to active treatment. Surrogate indicators (eg, more than two positive cores and a fast-rising PSA) should not trigger immediate active treatment but rather further investigation to confirm the suspicion of higher risk disease. Patient summary We confirmed the safety of active surveillance as a treatment option for men with low-risk prostate cancer; however, some changes could be made to the follow-up protocol to safely increase the number of men who remain on active surveillance.
Assessment of risk for a given disease and the diagnosis of diseases is often based on assays detecting biomarkers. Antibody-based biomarker-assays for diseases such as prostate cancer are often ...ambiguous and biomarker proteins are frequently also elevated for reasons that are unspecific. We have opted to use luminescence modulating phages for the analysis of known acute inflammatory response biomarker CRP (C-reactive protein) and biomarkers of prostate cancer in urine samples. Firstly, CRP was used to simulate the detection process in a controlled chemical environment. Secondly, we tried to classify more challenging lethal prostate cancer samples from control samples. Our unique method utilizes a special biopanning process in order to create special phages capable of capturing a dye necessary for detection and potential biomarkers. As the biomarker-molecules interfere with the phages, dye is repelled from the phage network resulting in an altered reporter luminescence. These changes can be observed with an absorbance reader and even with the naked eye. The simple method could present an alternative for screening of disease biomarkers. For prostate cancer urine samples, we achieved a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 75% to detect Grade Group (GG) 4 and 5 prostate cancer.
Abstract Background Overdiagnosis and subsequent overtreatment are important side effects of screening for, and early detection of, prostate cancer (PCa). Active surveillance (AS) is of growing ...interest as an alternative to radical treatment of low-risk PCa. Objective To update our experience in the largest worldwide prospective AS cohort. Design, setting, and participants Eligible patients had clinical stage T1/T2 PCa, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤10 ng/ml, PSA density <0.2 ng/ml per milliliter, one or two positive biopsy cores, and Gleason score ≤6. PSA was measured every 3–6 mo, and volume-based repeat biopsies were scheduled after 1, 4, and 7 yr. Reclassification was defined as more than two positive cores or Gleason >6 at repeat biopsy. Recommendation for treatment was triggered in case of PSA doubling time <3 yr or reclassification. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors for reclassification at repeat biopsy. Active therapy–free survival (ATFS) was assessed with a Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox regression was used to evaluate the association of clinical characteristics with active therapy over time. Results and limitations In total, 2494 patients were included and followed for a median of 1.6 yr. One or more repeat biopsies were performed in 1480 men, of whom 415 men (28%) showed reclassification. Compliance with the first repeat biopsy was estimated to be 81%. During follow-up, 527 patients (21.1%) underwent active therapy. ATFS at 2 yr was 77.3%. The strongest predictors for reclassification and switching to deferred treatment were the number of positive cores (two cores compared with one core) and PSA density. The disease-specific survival rate was 100%. Follow-up was too short to draw definitive conclusions about the safety of AS. Conclusions Our short-term data support AS as a feasible strategy to reduce overtreatment. Clinical characteristics and PSA kinetics during follow-up can be used for risk stratification. Strict monitoring is even more essential in men with high-risk features to enable timely recognition of potentially aggressive disease and offer curative intervention. Limitations of using surrogate end points and markers in AS should be recognized. Trial registration The current program is registered at the Dutch Trial Register with ID NTR1718 ( http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1718 ).
Body fluids are a rich source of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry cargo derived from the secreting cells. So far, biomarkers for pathological conditions have been mainly searched from their ...protein, (mi)RNA, DNA and lipid cargo. Here, we explored the small molecule metabolites from urinary and platelet EVs relative to their matched source samples. As a proof-of-concept study of intra-EV metabolites, we compared alternative normalization methods to profile urinary EVs from prostate cancer patients before and after prostatectomy and from healthy controls.
We employed targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to profile over 100 metabolites in the isolated EVs, original urine samples and platelets. We determined the enrichment of the metabolites in the EVs and analyzed their subcellular origin, pathways and relevant enzymes or transporters through data base searches. EV- and urine-derived factors and ratios between metabolites were tested for normalization of the metabolomics data.
Approximately 1 x 10
EVs were sufficient for detection of metabolite profiles from EVs. The profiles of the urinary and platelet EVs overlapped with each other and with those of the source materials, but they also contained unique metabolites. The EVs enriched a selection of cytosolic metabolites including members from the nucleotide and spermidine pathways, which linked to a number of EV-resident enzymes or transporters. Analysis of the urinary EVs from the patients indicated that the levels of glucuronate, D-ribose 5-phosphate and isobutyryl-L-carnitine were 2-26-fold lower in all pre-prostatectomy samples compared to the healthy control and post-prostatectomy samples (p < 0.05). These changes were only detected from EVs by normalization to EV-derived factors or with metabolite ratios, and not from the original urine samples.
Our results suggest that metabolite analysis of EVs from different samples is feasible using a high-throughput platform and relatively small amount of sample material. With the knowledge about the specific enrichment of metabolites and normalization methods, EV metabolomics could be used to gain novel biomarker data not revealed by the analysis of the original EV source materials.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with targeted biopsy (TB) is increasingly used in men with clinically suspected prostate cancer (PCa), but the long acquisition times, high costs, and ...inter-center/reader variability of routine multiparametric prostate MRI limit its wider adoption.
The aim was to validate a previously developed unique MRI acquisition and reporting protocol, IMPROD biparametric MRI (bpMRI) (NCT01864135), in men with a clinical suspicion of PCa in a multi-institutional trial (NCT02241122). IMPROD bpMRI has average acquisition time of 15 minutes (no endorectal coil, no intravenous contrast use) and consists of T2-weighted imaging and 3 separate diffusion-weighed imaging acquisitions. Between February 1, 2015, and March 31, 2017, 364 men with a clinical suspicion of PCa were enrolled at 4 institutions in Finland. Men with an equivocal to high suspicion (IMPROD bpMRI Likert score 3-5) of PCa had 2 TBs of up to 2 lesions followed by a systematic biopsy (SB). Men with a low to very low suspicion (IMPROD bpMRI Likert score 1-2) had only SB. All data and protocols are freely available. The primary outcome of the trial was diagnostic accuracy-including overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value-of IMPROD bpMRI for clinically significant PCa (SPCa), which was defined as a Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4 (Gleason grade group 2 or higher). In total, 338 (338/364, 93%) prospectively enrolled men completed the trial. The accuracy and NPV of IMPROD bpMRI for SPCa were 70% (113/161) and 95% (71/75) (95% CI 87%-98%), respectively. Restricting the biopsy to men with equivocal to highly suspicious IMPROD bpMRI findings would have resulted in a 22% (75/338) reduction in the number of men undergoing biopsy while missing 4 (3%, 4/146) men with SPCa. The main limitation is uncertainty about the true PCa prevalence in the study cohort, since some of the men may have PCa despite having negative biopsy findings.
IMPROD bpMRI demonstrated a high NPV for SPCa in men with a clinical suspicion of PCa in this prospective multi-institutional clinical trial.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02241122.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
IntroductionEvidence on the effectiveness of prostate cancer screening based on prostate-specific antigen is inconclusive and suggests a questionable balance between benefits and harms due to ...overdiagnosis, and complications from biopsies and overtreatment. However, diagnostic accuracy studies have shown that detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer can be reduced by MRI combined with targeted biopsies.The aim of the paper is to describe the analysis of the ProScreen randomised trial to assess the performance of the novel screening algorithm in terms of the primary outcome, prostate cancer mortality and secondary outcomes as intermediate indicators of screening benefits and harms of screening.MethodsThe trial aims to recruit at least 111 000 men to achieve sufficient statistical power for the primary outcome. Men will be allocated in a 1:3 ratio to the screening and control arms. Interim analysis is planned at 10 years of follow-up, and the final analysis at 15 years. Difference between the trial arms in prostate cancer mortality will be assessed by Gray’s test using intention-to-screen analysis of randomised men. Secondary outcomes will be the incidence of prostate cancer by disease aggressiveness, progression to advanced prostate cancer, death due to any cause and cost-effectiveness of screening.Ethics and disseminationThe trial protocol was reviewed by the ethical committee of the Helsinki University Hospital (2910/2017). Results will be disseminated through publications in international peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings.Trial registration numberNCT03423303
Abstract Background The incidence of small, localised, well-differentiated prostate cancer (PCa) is increasing, mainly as a result of screening. Many of these cancers will not progress, and radical ...therapy may lead to substantial overtreatment. Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as an alternative. Objective To retrospectively validate the currently used criteria for eligibility for AS. Design, setting, and participants For this cohort study, data from 616 men who were diagnosed with PCa between 1994 and 2007 at a mean age of 66.3 yr in four centres of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) were combined. All patients fit the criteria for AS (prostate-specific antigen PSA ≤10.0 ng/ml, PSA-density <0.2 ng/ml per ml, stage T1C/T2, Gleason score ≤3 + 3 = 6, and ≤2 positive biopsy cores), and initially they were managed expectantly. Median follow-up was 3.91 yr. Measurements Disease specific-, overall-, and treatment-free survival were studied. Present PSA characteristics were assessed and also compared between men who were switching to deferred active therapy during follow-up and men remaining untreated. Results and limitations The calculated (Kaplan-Meier) 10-yr PCa-specific survival (21 patients at risk) was 100%, which sharply contrasted with 77% overall survival. Men still alive showed favourable PSA characteristics. Although the calculated 10-yr treatment-free survival was only 43%, objective signs of progression often did not indicate the shift to radical treatment. The cohort consisted of men on AS and those on watchful waiting (WW); information on comorbidity or psychological distress was not available. Conclusions AS seems justified in selected men with screen-detected PCa. Prospective protocol-based AS programs are necessary to optimise selection criteria and to find the appropriate trigger points for switching to active therapy. Possible negative psychological reactions with AS against improved quality of life by withholding side-effects from radical treatment should be considered.
Abstract Background Active surveillance (AS) is an option for men with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). PTEN and ERG have been considered as potential biomarkers of PCa progression and survival. ...Objective To study the role of ERG and PTEN status in the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) trial diagnostic biopsies (DBxs) in predicting surveillance discontinuation and adverse surgical findings in subsequent radical prostatectomy (RP). Design, setting, and participants A total of 231 patients were recruited to the PRIAS between 2007 and 2013 in Helsinki. DBx tissue for immunohistochemistry (IHC) was available from 190 patients. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed from 57 specimens of subsequent RPs. DBxs containing grade group (GG) 1 PCa and RP TMA sections were stained with ERG and PTEN antibodies, and scored as either negative or positive. Outcome measurements and statistical analyses Outcomes were followed up by biopsy GG upgrade (GG ≥ 2) and protocol-based treatment change, as well as adverse findings in RP (GG ≥ 3 or pathological stage ≥ 3). Clinical variables and biomarker status in DBx were correlated in Cox regression analysis and cumulative survival in Kaplan–Meier analysis, and finally, Gray’s competing risk analysis was performed and nonprotocol-based discontinuation was considered as a competing event. Results and limitations In both uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses, only the number of positive cores in the DBx, the number of rebiopsy sessions, and PTEN status at diagnosis were significantly associated with rebiopsy GG upgrade, treatment change, and adverse histopathology in RP. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, PTEN loss was associated with a shorter time to GG upgrade and treatment change. Patients with PTEN loss had a higher probability for protocol-based discontinuation but not for competing risk factors compared with patients with intact PTEN. Biopsy ERG status was concordant with RP TMA ERG status, while PTEN was not. Limitations include a retrospective analysis of prospective cohort data. Conclusions PTEN status at diagnosis is a potential biomarker for identifying patients with PCa on AS with a high risk for progression or adverse findings on subsequent RP. Patient summary A simple diagnostic biopsy-based analysis of PTEN status may help identify patients with high risk for prostate cancer progression.
Most of the annual 10 million cancer-related deaths are caused by metastatic disease. Survival rates for cancer are strongly dependent on the type of cancer and its stage at detection. Early ...detection remains a challenge due to the lack of reliable biomarkers and cost-efficient screening methods. Phage biosensors can offer a solution for early detection using non-invasive liquid biopsies. Here, we report the first results of the bifunctional phage biosensor to detect metastatic urological cancers from urine. A dye-sensitized phage library was used to select metastasis-related phage binders. After selection rounds, the most promising phage candidate was used to classify metastatic cancer from controls. Additionally, we applied one chemical sensor (phenoxazine non-fluorescent dye) to classify cancer from urine. A statistical significance (
= 0.0002) was observed between metastatic and non-metastatic cancer, with sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 79%. Furthermore, the chemical sensor demonstrated significance in detecting cancer (
< 0.0001) with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 75%. Our data suggest a new promising field for urine biomarker research, and further evaluation with prospectively collected samples is ongoing. In conclusion, we report, for the first time, the potential of a chemical- and phage-based biosensor method to detect metastatic cancer using urine.
Abstract Background Little is known about the outcome of radical prostatectomy (RP) in men initially followed on active surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). Objective Evaluate ...pathology findings after RP in our prospective AS cohort. Design, setting, and participants All men participated in the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) study. Eligible men were initially diagnosed with low-risk PCa (clinical stage ≤T2, prostate-specific antigen PSA ≤10 ng/ml, PSA density <0.2 ng/ml per ml, one or two positive biopsy cores, and Gleason score ≤6) and underwent RP between December 2006 and July 2011. The study protocol recommends RP in case of risk reclassification on repeat biopsy (Gleason score >6 and/or more than two positive cores) or a PSA doubling time ≤3 yr. Measurements Descriptive statistics were used to report on pathology findings for staging and grading. Results and limitations Pathology results were available in 167 out of 189 RP cases (88.4%). Median time to RP was 1.3 yr (range: 1.1–1.9). Protocol-based recommendations led to deferred RP in 143 men (75.7%); 24 men (12.7%) switched because of anxiety, and 22 (11.6%) had other reasons. Pathology results showed 134 (80.8%) organ-confined cases and 32 (19.2%) cases with extracapsular extension. Gleason scores ≤6, 3 + 4, 4 + 3, and 8 were found in 79 (47.3%), 64 (38.3%), 21 (12.6%), and 3 (1.8%) cases, respectively. Unfavourable RP results (pT3–4 and/or Gleason score ≥4 + 3) were found in 49 patients (29%), of whom 33 (67%) had a biopsy-related reason for deferred RP. Conclusions RP results in men initially followed on AS show organ-confined disease and favourable Gleason grading in a majority of cases. Most men in our cohort had a protocol-based reason to switch to deferred RP. A main focus for AS protocols should be to improve the selection of patients at the time of inclusion to minimise reclassification of risk and preserve the chance for curative treatment, if indicated.
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