Prostate tumor markers: diagnosis, prognosis and management

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the second most common type of cancer in the world. Nevertheless, diagnosis is still based on nonspecific methods, or invasive methods which makes clinical decision and diagnosis difficult, generating risk of both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. Given the high prevalence, morbidity and mortality of PCA, new strategies are needed for its diagnosis. A review of the literature on available biomarkers for PCA was performed, using the following terms: prostate cancer AND marker OR biomarker. The search was carried out in Pubmed, Science Direct, Web of Science and Clinical Trial. A total of 35 articles were used, and PHI (Prostate Health Index) and the 4Kscore tests were identified as the best well-established serum markers. These tests are based on the evaluation of expression levels of several molecules. For analysis of urine samples, Progensa, ExoDXProstate, and Mi Prostate Score Urine Test are available. All these tests have the potential to help diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary biopsies, but they are used only in association with digital rectal examination and PSA level data. The search for biomarkers that can help in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of PCA is still in its initial phase, requiring more efforts for an effective clinical application.