Biopsy and radical prostatectomy pathological patterns influence Prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) score

To evaluate the relationship between Prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) score and prostate cancer as assessed by Gleason Score (GS) and pathological stage in a series of Italian patients, with elevated Prostate specific antigen (PSA) undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP).

A total of 222 patients underwent RP for clinically localized prostate cancer; total PSA, free-PSA (%fPSA) and PCA3 score were collected and the possible associations among PCA3 and histological grade/pathological stage at biopsy and RP were investigated.

Median PCA3 scores by GS at radical prostatectomy were 51 vs. 67 (GS <7 vs. GS ≥ 7, p=0.007), while scores at the biopsy were 56 vs. 67 (GS <7 vs. GS ≥ 7, p=0.007), and in pT2 vs. pT3 patients they were 54 vs. 80 (p=0.001). Positive digital rectal examination (DRE) (odds ratio (OR)=5.47, p=0.026), pT3 pathological stage (OR=3.68, p=0.006) and PCA3 ≥ 35 (OR=2.04, p=0.030) were the main risk factors for the presence of an aggressive disease (GS ≥ 7 at RP).

PCA3 score could play an interesting role in predicting significant disease: positive DRE (OR=5.47, p=0.026), pT3 pathological stage (OR=3.68, p=0.006) and PCA3 ≥ 35 (OR=2.04, p=0.030) were the main independent risk factors for GS ≥ 7 at RP.