Association between natural killer cell activity and prostate cancer: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for detecting and eliminating tumor cells.
• Previous research established a link between NK cell activity and prostate cancer using traditional methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between NK cell activity (NKA) and prostate cancer using a straightforward blood test.
• To evaluate the utility of an in vitro diagnostic device (IVDD) for NKA assessment prior to prostate biopsy.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 43 subjects scheduled for prostate biopsy.
• Blood samples were analyzed for NKA using an IVDD (NK Vue) before biopsy.
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to assess test performance.

Main Results:

• Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 22 out of 43 subjects.
• The NKA IVDD demonstrated an area under the curve of 75%, with 91% specificity and 57% sensitivity.
• A cutoff of 200 pg/mL for NKA indicated an 86% absolute risk of prostate cancer if values were below this threshold.

Conclusions:

• Low natural killer cell activity values correlate with a higher likelihood of a positive prostate biopsy.
• This pilot study indicates that NKA testing could be a valuable tool in prostate cancer risk assessment.