Prognostic value of tumor growth kinetic parameters in prostate cancer patients

The goal of this paper was to estimate the predictive value of kinetic parameters of tumor growth in 109 prostatic cancer (PCa) patients with the morphologically verified diagnosis. Results: The cell loss factor, calculated on the basis of Ki-67 values, and the PSA doubling time, proved to be an important prognostic parameter. A cumulative comparative analysis of these criteria, depending on the prevalence of the tumor process, indicates that the level of cell loss significantly decreases with increasing tumor stage (p = 1*10^-5), and the growth rate of the tumor significantly increases (p = 1*10^-6). In the multivariate prognostic model, the CLF is an independent predictor of tumor-specific survival along with the stage of PCa. Materials and methods: For each patient of the study group were as follows. The level of Ki-67 expression in biopsies of adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland was estimated. Also, in the selected group of patients, based on the available data on the kinetics of the prostatic specific antigen (PSA), the initial time of doubling of PSA was determined. The obtained values of the actual tumor growth rate and the cell loss factor (CLF) were compared with the parameters characterizing the tumor state (stage, Gleason score, PSA level at diagnosis) and tumor-specific survival rates. Conclusion: Inclusion of proliferative activity factors in nomograms and prognostic models will increase their prognostic value and practical significance. Further prospective studies are needed to analyze the actual growth rate of PCa and evaluate its proliferative activity.