The effect of the combination of prostate-specific antigen derivatives with multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging scores on the negative predictive value of it in grey zone patients

OBJECTIVE

To calculate the negative predictive value (NPV) of negative multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), accepted as no lesions on images, when combined with prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) and free/total prostate-specific antigen ratio (f/t PSA) in grey zone patients.

METHODS

191 patients with PSA levels between 4-10 mg/mL and negative mpMRI were analyzed. The NPV of negative mpMRI was calculated according to a PSAD level of <0.15 ng/mL/mL, f/t PSA ratio of >0.15, and a combination of both. Patients were divided into three risk groups according to these two parameters, which were PSAD 0.01-0.07 ng/mL/mL and f/t PSA ratio ≥25 in a low-risk group, PSAD 0.08-0.15 ng/mL/mL, and f/t PSA ratio 0.15-0.24 in an intermediate-risk group and high-risk group, in which PSAD > 0.15 ng/mL/mL and f/t PSA ratio <15.

RESULTS

NPV of negative mpMRI was 92.6% for clinically significant prostate carcinoma (CSPCa). It increased to 97.5% in a low-risk group and decreased to 33.3% for CSPCa in a high-risk group. NPV of negative mpMRI results were so close when combined with PSAD < 0.15 ng/mL/mL and f/t PSA > 15.

CONCLUSION

f/t PSA ratio might also be used to increase the NPV of mpMRI, like PSAD. We advise not to avoid prostate biopsy when PSAD is >0.15 ng/mL/mL and the f/t PSA ratio is <0.15. However, we need randomized controlled studies with more patients to confirm our study.