[Detection of PSA mRNA in prostate cancer patients' blood]

A sensitive technique using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PSA mRNA has been used to detect circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of prostate cancer patients. We evaluated the clinical utility of this method for staging and monitoring for prostate cancer. The number of patients who were RT-PCR positive was increased in higher clinical stages. This technique may provide useful information for treating patients with prostate cancer, especially candidates for radical prostatectomy. Confirming the value of this modality as a prognostic factor will require further study.