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Updated: May 28, 2026
Detection and Isolation of Cancer in Prostate Biopsies Using Stimulated Raman Histology and Artificial Intelligence
Published on: June 10, 2025
Is sarcosine a biomarker for prostate cancer?
Haleem J Issaq1, Timothy D Veenstra
1Laboratory of Proteomics and Analytical Technologies, Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA. issaqh@mail.nih.gov
Sarcosine was proposed as a prostate cancer biomarker. This review examines evidence to see if sarcosine can replace prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for cancer detection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Urology
Background:
- Sarcosine, a glycine metabolite, was first suggested as a potential prostate cancer biomarker in 2009.
- The need for improved prostate cancer diagnostics drives research into novel biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific literature on sarcosine's utility as a prostate cancer biomarker.
- To evaluate sarcosine's potential to replace or supplement prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating sarcosine in prostate cancer.
- Analysis of sarcosine's diagnostic accuracy compared to PSA.
Main Results:
- Evidence regarding sarcosine's role as a prostate cancer biomarker is currently inconclusive.
- Sarcosine has shown some promise but has not definitively replaced PSA tests.
Conclusions:
- Further research is required to establish sarcosine's definitive role in prostate cancer diagnostics.
- Sarcosine's clinical utility as a standalone or replacement biomarker for PSA remains uncertain.
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