A Novel Modality Enables New Evidence-Based Individual Risk Stratification That Can Potentially Lead to Decisive...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biochemistry
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Accurate risk stratification is crucial for managing suspected prostate cancer (PCa).
• Decreased zinc (Zn) levels are a known metabolic hallmark of PCa malignancy and aggressiveness.
• Previous methods for Zn measurement were limited by sample fixation requirements, hindering clinical adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel modality for PCa risk assessment based on Zn depletion.
• To address limitations of prior Zn measurement techniques for clinical application.
• To enable more precise risk stratification and treatment decisions for PCa patients.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of Zn levels in fresh prostate tissue samples during biopsy.
• Real-time interactive guidance during biopsy to improve sample quality.
• Estimation of Zn levels and gland compactness in scanned tissue for diagnosis.
• Development of a malignancy score for the entire prostate.

Main Results:

• The novel modality successfully measures Zn depletion in fresh biopsy samples.
• Real-time guidance improved biopsy quality.
• A comprehensive malignancy score was established for personalized risk stratification.
• The method facilitates a reliable assessment of disease aggressiveness.

Conclusions:

• This approach offers a direct metabolic sign of PCa malignancy and aggressiveness.
• It overcomes previous limitations by analyzing fresh, unfixed tissue.
• Enables higher granularity personalized risk stratification and more decisive treatment decisions for PCa patients.