Detection limits of significant prostate cancer using multiparametric MR and digital rectal examination in men with low serum PSA: Up-date of the Italian Society of Integrated Diagnostic in Urology

Discrimination of serum samples of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia with 1H-NMR metabolomics

Prostate cancer continues to be a prominent health concern for men globally. Current screening techniques, primarily the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal examination (DRE), possess inherent limitations, with prostate biopsy being the definitive diagnostic procedure. The invasive nature of the biopsy and other drawbacks of current screening tests create the need for non-invasive and more accurate diagnostic methods. This study utilized 1H-NMR (Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) based serum metabolomics to differentiate between prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Serum samples from 40 PCa and 41 BPH patients were analysed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. PepsNMR was utilized for preprocessing the raw NMR data, and the binned spectra were examined for patterns distinguishing PCa and BPH. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a moderate separation between PCa and BPH, highlighting the distinct metabolic profiles of both conditions. A logistic regression model was then developed, which demonstrated good performance in distinguishing between the two conditions. The results showed significant variance in multiple metabolites between PCa and BPH, such as isovaleric acid, ethylmalonic acid, formate, and glutamic acid. This research underlines the potential of 1H-NMR-based serum metabolomics as a promising tool for improved prostate cancer screening, offering an alternative to the limitations of current screening methods.

Predictors of prostate cancer detection in MRI PI-RADS 3 lesions - Reality of a tertiary center

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score reports the likelihood of a clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa) based on various multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) characteristics. The PI-RADS category 3 is an intermediate status, with an equivocal risk of malignancy. The PSA density (PSAD) has been proposed as a tool to facilitate biopsy decisions on PI-RADS category 3 lesions. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of CsPCa, assess the diagnostic value of targeted biopsy and identify clinical predictors to improve the CsPCa detection rate in PI-RADS category 3 lesions.

METHODS

Between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2022, a total of 1661 men underwent a prostate biopsy at our institution. Clinical and mpMRI data of men with PI-RADS 3 lesions was reviewed. The study population was divided into two groups: target group, including those submitted to systematic plus targeted biopsy versus non-target group when only systematic or saturation biopsy were performed. Patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions were divided into three categories based on pathological biopsy results: benign, clinically insignificant disease (score Gleason = 6 or International Society of Urologic Pathologic (ISUP) 1) and clinically significant cancer (score Gleason ≥ 7 (3+4) or ISUP ≥ 2) according to target and non-target group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify clinical predictors to improve the CsPCa detection rate in PI-RADS category 3 lesions.

RESULTS

A total of 130 men with PIRADS 3 index lesions were identified. Pathologic results were benign in 77 lesions (59.2%), 19 (14.6%) were clinically insignificant (Gleason score 6) and 34 (26.2%) were clinically significant (Gleason score 7 or higher). Eighty-seven of the patients were included in the target group (66.9%) and 43 in the non-target group (33.1%). The CsPCa detection was higher in the non-target group (32.6%, n = 14 vs 23.0%, n = 20 respectively). When systematic and target biopsies were jointly performed, if the results of systematic biopsies are not considered and only the results of target biopsies are taken into account, a CsPCa diagnosis would be missed on 9 patients. The differences of insignificant cancer and CsPCa rates among the target or non-target group were not statistically significant (p = 0.50 and p = 0.24, respectively). on multivariate analysis, the abnormal DRE and lesions localized in Peripheral zone (PZ) were significantly associated with a presence of CsPCa in PI-RADS 3 lesions (oR = 3.61, 95% CI [1.22,10.72], p = 0.02 and oR = 3.31, 95% CI [1.35, 8.11], p = 0.01, respectively). A higher median PSAD significantly predisposed for CsPCa on univariate analyses (p = 0.05), however, was not significant in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.76). In our population, using 0.10 ng/ml/ml as a cut-off to perform biopsy, 41 patients would have avoided biopsy (31.5%), but 5 cases of CsPCa would not have been detected (3.4%). We could not identify any statistical significance between other clinical and imagiological variables and CsPCa detection.

CONCLUSIONS

PI-RADS 3 lesions were associated with a low likelihood of CsPCa detection. A systematic biopsy associated or not with target biopsy is essential in PI-RADS 3 lesions, and targeted biopsy did not demonstrate to be superior in the detection of CsPCa. The presence of abnormal DRE and lesions localized in PZ potentially predict the presence of CsPCa in biopsied PI-RADS 3 lesions.

Expression Levels and Clinical Significance of Serum miR-497, CEA, CA24-2, and HBsAg in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

The objective of the current study was to look at the levels of blood micro ribonucleic acid- (miR-) 497, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 24-2, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as the clinical importance of these markers in CRC patients. The serum levels of miR-497, CEA, CA24-2, and HBsAg were compared between 60 patients with CRC (observation group) and another 60 patients with colorectal polyps (control group). The 4 indicators in patients with lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis were compared. The diagnostic effects of 4 detection methods and the combined detection were analyzed, and the influence of 4 indicators on the 5-year cumulative survival rate of patients was discussed. The results showed that the serum levels of miR-497 and HBsAg were lower, and the levels of CEA and CA24-2 were higher in the observation group (P < 0.05). The combined detection had the best diagnostic effect, and CEA alone had the best prediction effect. The serum level of miR-497 was significantly lower in patients with lymphatic metastasis, with the significantly higher levels of CEA and CA24-2 (P < 0.05). The HBsAg level of patients with liver metastases was greatly lower than that of patients without liver metastases (P < 0.05). The 5-year cumulative survival rate of patients with high levels of CEA and CA24-2 was significantly lower than that of patients with low level of CEA. The 5-year cumulative survival rate was lower in patients with low level of HBsAg, but the difference was small. The 5-year cumulative survival rate of patients with elevated serum miR-497 was observably lower. In conclusion, combined detection could diagnose CRC more accurately. Serum miR-497, CEA, and CA24-2 were important in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of CRC. HBsAg did a better job of predicting liver metastases in CRC patients. High level of CEA significantly reduced the cumulative survival rate of CRC patients and could predict the long-term survival rate of patients. Serum levels of miR-497, CEA, CA24-2, and HBsAg played a positive role in the diagnosis and evaluation of CRC and could identify lymph node and liver metastases, having a high clinical guidance value.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of short biparametric magnetic resonance imaging protocol in men at risk of prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

To compare the cost-effectiveness of a short biparametric MRI (BP-MRI) with that of contrast-enhanced multiparametric MRI (MP-MRI) for the detection of prostate cancer in men with elevated prostatespecific antigen (PSA) levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared two diagnostic procedures for detection of prostate cancer (Pca), BP-MRI and MP-MRI, in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALY), incremental costeffectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB) for a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients. We compared two scenarios in which different protocols would be used for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer in relation to PSA values. Scenario 1. BP-MRI/MP-MRI yearly if > 3.0 ng/ml, every 2 years otherwise; Scenario 2. BP-MRI/MP-MRI yearly with age-dependent threshold 3.5 ng/ml (50-59 years), 4.5 ng/ml (60-69 years), 6.5 ng/ml (70-79 years).

RESULTS

BP-MRI was more effective than the comparator in terms of cost (160.10 € vs 249.99€) QALYs (a mean of 9.12 vs 8.46), ICER (a mean of 232.45) and NMB (a mean of 273.439 vs 251.863). BP-MRI was dominant, being more effective and less expensive, with a lower social cost. Scenario 2 was more cost-effective compared to scenario 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirmed the hypothesis that a short bi-parametric MRI protocol represents a cost-efficient procedure, optimizing resources in a policy perspective.

A Novel Combination of Serum Markers in a Multivariate Model to Help Triage Patients Into “Low-” and “High-Risk” Categories for Prostate Cancer

Background

Almost 50,000 men in the United Kingdom (UK) are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer (PCa). Secondary referrals for investigations rely on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and digital rectal examination. However, both tests lack sensitivity and specificity, resulting in unnecessary referrals to secondary care for costly and invasive biopsies.

Materials and Methods

Serum samples and clinical information were collected from N = 125 age-matched patients (n = 61 non-PCa and n = 64 PCa) and analyzed using Biochip Array Technology on high-sensitivity cytokine array I (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNFα, MCP-1, INFγ, EGF, and VEGF), cerebral array II (CRP, D-dimer, neuron-specific enolase, and sTNFR1), and tumor PSA oncology array (fPSA, tPSA, and CEA).

Results

The data showed that 11/19 (68.8%) markers were significantly different between the non-PCa and the PCa patients. A combination of EGF, log₁₀ IL-8, log₁₀ MCP-1, and log₁₀ tPSA significantly improved the predictive potential of tPSA alone to identify patients with PCa (DeLong, p < 0.001). This marker combination had an increased area under the receiver operator characteristic (0.860 vs. 0.700), sensitivity (78.7 vs. 68.9%), specificity (76.5 vs. 67.2%), PPV (76.2 vs. 66.7%), and NPV (79.0 vs. 69.4%) compared with tPSA.

Conclusions

The novel combination of serum markers identified in this study could be employed to help triage patients into “low-” and “high-risk” categories, allowing general practitioners to improve the management of patients in primary care settings and potentially reducing the number of referrals for unnecessary, invasive, and costly treatments.

Do all patients with suspicious prostate cancer need Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging before prostate biopsy?

OBJECTIVES

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is a useful tool to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa) but its cost is not negligible. In order to reduce costs and minimize time to diagnosis, it is necessary to establish which patients benefit the most from doing mpMRI prior to prostate biopsy (PB). Our aim was to test if mpMRI still predicts PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) in patients with high clinical suspicion of cancer, defined as prostate specific antigen (PSA) > 10 ng/ml, PSA-Density (PSAD) > 0.15 ng/ml/cc or suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively collected data on 206 patients who underwent mpMRI before PB at our Department from January 2017 to July 2018. mpMRI results were classified using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2. In primary analysis, we evaluated the association of mpMRI with PCa and csPCa and stratified this model for low and high clinical suspicion of cancer. In secondary analysis, we determined the rate of negative PB results in patients with high suspicion of cancer and compared theses rates with those obtained if only those with PI-RADS 3-5 would be biopsied.

RESULTS

In primary analysis and overall, mpMRI was predictive of PCa and csPCa. In stratified analysis, mpMRI was still significantly associated with csPCa in patients with PSA > 10 ng/ml and PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/cc, but not in those with suspicious DRE. In secondary analysis, negative result rates were lower if only patients with PI-RADS 3-5 were biopsied, even in subgroups with high suspicion of cancer based on PSA and PSAD. In patients with suspicious DRE, however, the rate of negative results did not change significantly if only patients with PI-RADS 3-5 were biopsied.

CONCLUSIONS

mpMRI is still useful in predicting csPCa in patients with PSA > 10 ng/mL and PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/cc. If DRE is suspicious, though, mpMRI might be no longer useful in the prediction of PCa.

Utility of Clinical-Radiomic Model to Identify Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer in Biparametric MRI PI-RADS V2.1 Category 3 Lesions

Purpose

To determine the predictive performance of the integrated model based on clinical factors and radiomic features for the accurate identification of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) among Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3 lesions.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study of 103 patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions who underwent pre-operative 3.0-T MRI was performed. Patients were randomly divided into the training set and the testing set at a ratio of 7:3. Radiomic features were extracted from axial T2WI, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images of each patient. The minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) feature selection methods were used to identify the radiomic features and construct a radiomic model for csPCa identification. Moreover, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to integrate the clinical factors with radiomic feature model to further improve the accuracy of csPCa identification, and the two are presented in the form of normogram. The performance of the integrated model was compared with radiomic model and clinical model on testing set.

Results

A total of four radiomic features were selected and used for radiomic model construction producing a radiomic score (Radscore). Radscore was significantly different between the csPCa and the non-csPCa patients (training set: p < 0.001; testing set: p = 0.035). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age and PSA could be used as independent predictors for csPCa identification. The clinical–radiomic model produced the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) in the testing set was 0.88 (95%CI, 0.75–1.00), which was similar to clinical model (AUC = 0.85; 95%CI, 0.52–0.90) (p = 0.048) and higher than the radiomic model (AUC = 0.71; 95%CI, 0.68–1.00) (p < 0.001). The decision curve analysis implies that the clinical–radiomic model could be beneficial in identifying csPCa among PI-RADS 3 lesions.

Conclusion

The clinical–radiomic model could effectively identify csPCa among biparametric PI-RADS 3 lesions and thus could help avoid unnecessary biopsy and improve the life quality of patients.

TRUS-Guided Target Biopsy for a PI-RADS 3–5 Index Lesion to Reduce Gleason Score Underestimation: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided cognitive or image fusion biopsy is performed to target a prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) 3–5 lesion. Biopsy Gleason score (GS) is frequently underestimated compared to prostatectomy GS. However, it is still unclear about how many cores on target are necessary to reduce undergrading and if additional cores around the target may improve grade prediction on surgical specimen.

Purpose

To determine the number of target cores and targeting strategy to reduce GS underestimation.

Materials and Methods

Between May 2017 and April 2020, a total of 385 patients undergoing target cognitive or image fusion biopsy of PI-RADS 3–5 index lesions and radical prostatectomies (RP) were 2:1 matched with propensity score using multiple variables and divided into the 1–4 core (n = 242) and 5–6 core (n = 143) groups, which were obtained with multiple logistic regression with restricted cubic spline curve. Target cores of 1–3 and 4–6 were sampled from central and peripheral areas, respectively. Pathologic outcomes and target cores were retrospectively assessed to analyze the GS difference or changes between biopsy and RP with Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

The median of target cores was 3 and 6 in the 1–4 core and 5–6 core groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline curve showed that GS upgrade was significantly reduced from the 5th core and there was no difference between 5th and 6th cores. Among the matched patients, 35.4% (136/385; 95% confidence interval, 0.305–0.403) had a GS upgrade after RP. The GS upgrades in the 1–4 core and 5–6 core groups were observed in 40.6% (98/242, 0.343–0.470) and 26.6% (38/143, 0.195–0.346), respectively (p = 0.023). Although there was no statistical difference between the matched groups in terms of RP GS (p = 0.092), the 5–6 core group had significantly higher biopsy GS (p = 0.006) and lower GS change from biopsy to RP (p = 0.027).

Conclusion

Five or more target cores sampling from both periphery and center of an index tumor contribute to reduce GS upgrade.