Extracellular Microvesicle MicroRNAs and Imaging Metrics Improve the Detection of Aggressive Prostate Cancer: A Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomarkers
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading global cancer in men.
• Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.
• Plasma extracellular vesicle microRNAs (miRNAs) and MRI radiomics show promise in assessing PCa aggressiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the combined diagnostic potential of plasma miRNAs and MRI radiomics for identifying clinically aggressive prostate cancer.
• To develop and assess predictive models integrating these biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Blood plasma and MRI data were collected from prostate cancer patients.
• Exosomes were isolated for miRNA quantification.
• Radiomics features were extracted from MRI scans (MR-T2W, MR-ADC).
• Univariate and multivariable models were developed and validated using ROC curve analysis.

Main Results:

• Univariate models showed moderate performance (AUCs 0.76-0.84) for individual features.
• Multivariable models integrating miRNAs with MR-ADC and MR-T2W achieved high AUCs of 0.88 and 0.95, respectively.
• The combined approach significantly improved the identification of aggressive disease (Gleason grade).

Conclusions:

• Combining plasma miRNA markers with MRI-based radiomics offers a powerful, non-invasive strategy for detecting aggressive prostate cancer.
• This integrated approach enhances diagnostic accuracy beyond individual methods.
• The findings support the clinical utility of this combined biomarker strategy for improved PCa management.