Urine Based Mi-Prostate Score Has Improved Prostate Cancer Detection Rate

by Dr. Trupti Shirole on May 21, 2015 at 8:16 AM

Prostate cancer is diagnosed with the help of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE). If the results of either of these tests are abnormal, further testing such as a transrectal ultrasound and a prostate biopsy is done to find out cancer. A new study has revealed that a urine-based test, called Mi-Prostate Score, or MIPS which is developed at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in the US, has improved prostate cancer detection compared to traditional methods. While traditional prostate cancer detection methods are based on prostate serum antigen, or PSA, levels, the new method combines PSA with two markers for prostate cancer, both of which can be detected through a urine sample.

Lead study author Scott Tomlins, assistant professor at University of Michigan Medical School, said, "Around 50% of men who undergo a prostate biopsy will not have cancer. We need better ways to manage elevated PSA and determine who really needs to have a biopsy. MIPS gives men and their doctors better information to help make those decisions."

Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA]

PSA blood test is specific to prostate gland but not necessarily a cancer specific test but is commonly used to diagnose prostate cancer.

Around 2,000 men who were undergoing prostate biopsy because of elevated PSA levels were part of the study. The researchers used urine samples to conduct the MIPS testing and compared the results. Tomlins said, "MIPS gives men a more individualized risk assessment for prostate cancer, so that men concerned about their serum PSA levels can have a more informed conversation with their doctor about next steps in their care."

The urine test has been available clinically since September 2013. The findings appeared in the European Urology.

Source: Medindia