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Updated: May 10, 2026
13:19
Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 3, 2013
Serum and Urine Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer: A Mini Review
N Ravi1, N A John, M Taranikanti
1Dr Naveen Ravi, Senior Resident, Department of Physiology, AIIMS, Bibinagar, India;
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ
|March 31, 2025
Summary
Prostate cancer biomarkers like Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) have limitations. Newer tests, including Prostate Health Index (PHI), Prostate Cancer Antigen (PCA3), and 4-kallikrein Score (4k-score), offer improved detection for this common male cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Prostate cancer (PC) is a significant global health concern, ranking as the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
- India is experiencing a rising burden of PC, challenging previous assumptions of a low disease prevalence due to lifestyle changes and improved healthcare access.
- The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) has been the primary biomarker for PC for decades, revolutionizing early detection but possessing limitations in specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution and current landscape of prostate cancer biomarkers.
- To highlight newer diagnostic tools beyond Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA).
Main Methods:
- Review of FDA-approved prostate cancer biomarkers.
- Analysis of biochemical and clinical variable-based markers.
Main Results:
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) was the initial FDA-approved biomarker, significantly impacting PC management.
- Subsequent advancements led to the FDA approval of serum-based Prostate Health Index (PHI) and urinary Prostate Cancer Antigen (PCA3) about a decade ago.
- More recently, the 4-kallikrein Score (4k-score), incorporating clinical variables, has been approved, expanding diagnostic capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The development of novel prostate cancer biomarkers addresses the limitations of PSA, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
- Newer biomarkers like PHI, PCA3, and 4k-score represent significant progress in the early detection and management of prostate cancer.
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