Combining Proclarix and MRI for Accurate Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

What is it about?

This clinical study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of Proclarix, a novel biomarker test, alone or in combination with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to predict clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). The two-center study included blood samples from 721 men undergoing mpMRI followed by targeted and systematic prostate biopsies. Results showed that Proclarix could more effectively resolve indeterminate (PI-RADS 3) mpMRI than PSA density and save twice as many unneeded biopsies without missing csPCa. When combined with mpMRI and prostate volume, the novel model developed generates a risk score for the detection of csPCa with high accuracy. The study concluded that the Proclarix-MRI score significantly outperformed Proclarix and mpMRI alone and would lower the overall biopsy rate by 40%.

Featured Image

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research is important as it evaluates the clinical performance of Proclarix, a novel biomarker test, in predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) when used alone or in combination with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). The study`s findings suggest that the use of Proclarix in PI-RADS 3 lesions and the combination with mpMRI and prostate volume can enhance the accuracy of csPCa detection, potentially lowering biopsy rates and improving early detection of life-threatening disease. Key Takeaways: 1. Proclarix could more effectively resolve indeterminate mpMRI than PSA density and save twice as many unneeded biopsies by missing no csPCa. 2. The efficacy of using mpMRI can be improved through the integration with clinical information (prostate volume) and blood-based biomarkers (Proclarix). 3. The Proclarix-MRI score, which integrates the values of Proclarix, mpMRI, and prostate volume, was superior to Proclarix, mpMRI, and MRI-ERSPC RC in determining who can forego a biopsy. 4. The Proclarix-MRI score significantly outperformed Proclarix and mpMRI alone and would lower the overall biopsy rate by 40%. 5. Over-detection of men with insignificant prostate cancer (iPCa) would be cut in half, and two out of three negative biopsies overall were saved.