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Clinical Evaluation Of A Novel Method For Measurement Of PSA, Accupsa™, As A Predictor Of 5-year Biochemical Recurrence-free Survival Post Radical Prostatectomy: Results Of A Pilot Study

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Bju International | October 12, 2011

H Lepor, CD Cheli, RP Thiel, SS Taneja, J Laze, DW Chan, LJ Sokoll, L Mangold, AW Partin
BJU International
DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10568.x

Abstract:

Nadir Ultrasensitive PSA levels has some value for predicting BCR following RD.

AccuPSA assays lower limit of PSA quantification of <0.01 pg/ml greatly enhances sensitivity and specificity of nadir PSA to predict BCR following RP. Our pilot study shows an AccuPSA of 3 pg/ml has a sensitory and specificity of 100% and 75% respectively for predicting 5 year BCR following RP.

Objectives:

  • Proof of concept study to evaluate a novel digital single molecule immunoassay (AccuPSA) which detects PSA 1000 fold more sensitive than current PSA methods.
  • To determine the ability of the AccuPSA assay to predict 5-year Biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival following radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and Methods:

  • 31 frozen serum specimens obtained from specimen logs maintained at New York University Langone Medical Center and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine on men who had undergone RP with a minimum of 5 years PSA follow up for those without evidence of BCR.
  • For all cases, pre-operative and pathological information were available and a serum specimen between 3 and 6 months following RP with PSA level of <0.1 ng/mL measured by conventional PSA methods at the time of serum collection.
  • Specimens were tested with the AccuPSA method.
  • A Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan Meier analysis was performed to determine whether AccuPSA predicted risk of biochemical recurrence.

Results:

  • Overall, 11 out of 31 (35.5%) of men developed a BCR.
  • Mean AccuPSA nadir levels were significantly different (p<0.001) between the non- recurrent group (2.27 pg/ml) versus recurrent group (46.99 pg/mL).
  • Using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, AccuPSA nadir level was a significant predictor of BCR-free survival (p<0.01).
  • Kaplan Meir analysis up to 5 years showed that 100% of men with AccuPSA nadir values <3 pg/mL did not develop a BCR, whereas 62.5% of men with values >3 pg/mL developed a BCR (p=0.00024).
  • The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the AccuPSA method was 100%, 75%, 69% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion:

  • AccuPSA assay predicts 5-year BCR-free survival following RP.
  • Identifying a reliable predictor of BCR soon after RP has important implications for frequency of PSA testing, selection of candidates for adjuvant therapy, and reassuring a large subset of men they are not at risk of recurrence.
  • Larger studies are needed to validate these findings.