[Recent advances in proPSA on early detection in prostate cancer]

The precursor of prostate specific antigen (proPSA) are distinct molecular forms of free PSA in serum. proPSA is comprised of native proPSA as well as several truncated forms, in which [-2] proPSA and [-4] proPSA are more prostate cancer (PCa)-associated than [-7] proPSA and [-5] proPSA. Clinical studies have recently provided evidence that [-2] proPSA can significantly improve the detection of PCa, particularly in patients with total serum PSA values less than 4 microg/L. In this paper, the mechanism and characteristics of proPSA formation and impact of proPSA on the early detection of PCa are reviewed.