Over the course of the 4-year study period, dutasteride reduced the risk of incident prostate cancer detected on biopsy and improved the outcomes related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00056407.)
Cytokeratins are released from carcinoma cells by unclear mechanisms and are commonly used serum tumor markers (TPA, TPS, and CYFRA 21-1). We here report that soluble cytokeratin-18 (CK18) is released from human carcinoma cells during cell death. During necrosis, the cytosolic pool of soluble CK18 was released, whereas apoptosis was associated with significant release of caspase-cleaved CK18 fragments. These results suggested that assessments of different forms of CK18 in patient sera could be used to examine cell death modes. Therefore, CK18 was measured in local venous blood collected during operation of patients with endometrial tumors. In most patient sera, caspase-cleaved fragments constituted a minor fraction of total CK18, suggesting that tumor apoptosis is not the main mechanism for generation of circulating CK18. Monitoring of different CK18 forms in peripheral blood during chemotherapy of prostate cancer patients showed individual differences in the patterns of release. Importantly, several examples were observed where the increase of apoptosis-specific caspase-cleaved CK18 fragments constituted only a minor fraction of the total increase. These results suggest that cell death of epithelially derived tumors can be assessed in patient serum and suggest that tumor apoptosis may not necessarily be the dominating death mode in many tumors in vivo.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and the global burden of
this disease is rising. Lifestyle modifications like smoking cessation, exercise and
weight control offer opportunities to decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Early detection of prostate cancer by PSA screening remains controversial; yet, changes in
PSA threshold, frequency of screening, and addition of other biomarkers have potential to
minimise overdiagnosis associated with PSA screening. Several new biomarkers appear
promising in individuals with elevated PSA levels or those diagnosed with prostate cancer,
these are likely to guide in separating individuals who can be spared of aggressive
treatment from those who need it. Several pharmacological agents like 5α-reductase
inhibitors, aspirin etc. have a potential to prevent development of prostate cancer. In
this review, we discuss the current evidence and research questions regarding prevention,
early detection of prostate cancer and management of men either at high risk of prostate
cancer or diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer.
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