We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Accurate Epigenetic Test Eliminates Superfluous Biopsies for Prostate Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Aug 2014
Two independent trials have now validated the performance of an epigenetic test that could provide physicians with a better tool to help eliminate unnecessary repeat prostate biopsies.

Patients with a negative biopsy have been evaluated with an epigenetic test to identify those at low risk for harboring cancer missed through biopsy sampling error who could forego an unnecessary repeat biopsy. More...


Scientists at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute (Baltimore, MD, USA) working with colleagues from other institutes, evaluated the archived, cancer negative prostate biopsy core tissue samples of 350 subjects from a total of five urological centers in the USA. All subjects underwent repeat biopsy within 24 months with a negative (controls) or positive (cases) histopathological result. Centralized blinded pathology evaluation of the two biopsy series was performed in all available samples from each site.

Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue cores were epigenetically profiled based on three genes: glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1), adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and Ras association (RalGDS/AF-6) domain family 1 (RASSF1). GSTP1 methylation is a specific biomarker for prostate cancer and this gene is methylated in up to 90% of prostate cancer cases. Additionally, APC and RASSF1 are important field effect markers and increase the diagnostic sensitivity of the assay. Epigenetic analysis was performed in random, blinded fashion using a multiplex methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MDxHealth; Irvine, CA, USA).

After correcting for age, prostate specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal exam, histopathological characteristics of the first biopsy, and race, this epigenetic test proved to be the most significant, independent, and strongest predictor of patient outcome with an odds ratio of 2.69 as well as the most valuable diagnostic aid of all evaluated risk factors. Alan W. Partin, MD, PhD, the lead author of the study said, “This epigenetic assay is a significant, independent predictor and has been shown to be the most valuable diagnostic aid of all evaluated risk factors in two independent trials. Negative findings of this assay could be used to reduce concern over unsampled cancer and effectively avoid unnecessary repeat biopsies.” The study was published online on April 18, 2014, in the Journal of Urology.

Related Links:

James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute
MDxHealth



Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
Gold Member
Flocked Fiber Swabs
Puritan® Patented HydraFlock®
Gold Member
Platelet Function Analyzer
PL-12
Immunofluorescence Analyzer
IFA System
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: (a) CTC separation using contraction-expansion inertial microfluidics. (b) CTC detection using the YOLOv8 deep learning model. (Image Credit: Junyi Ouyang, Haiqin Li)

Label-Free Platform Combines Microfluidics and AI for Circulating Tumor Cell Analysis

Liquid biopsy relies on detecting rare tumor-derived material in blood, but circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are especially difficult to capture because they are vastly outnumbered by normal blood cells.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Congenital cytomegalovirus can go unnoticed at birth despite later risks to hearing and development (Image Credit: 123RF)

Pooled Saliva PCR Screening Identifies Congenital CMV Missed by Targeted Testing

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) can be present in newborns who appear healthy and pass routine hearing screening. The infection is one of the most common maternal-to-fetal infections during pregnancy... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image Credit: 123RF

FDA-Cleared Multiplex PCR Test Detects 13 Respiratory Pathogens in a Single Sample

Respiratory tract infections can be difficult to distinguish at presentation because many cause overlapping, nonspecific symptoms and are initially grouped as influenza-like illnesses. Causes span a range... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy setup consists of a Mid-IR laser equipped with three QCL modules covering wavelengths from 5.6 μm to 12.9 μm, two silver coated mirrors (SCM), a dichroic mirror (DM) with a transmittance of 90%, a thermal power sensor head (PM) to monitor the output laser power, a mechanical chopper (MC) for frequency modulation and a CEPAS-detector with a self-designed swab holder (SH). (Credit: Graunke, T., Scholz, T., Pieniak, M. et al. Scientific Reports (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-68298-9)

Laser-Based Swab Analysis Shows Promise for Detecting Disease-Linked Odor Patterns

Disease-related changes in volatile organic compounds can alter body odor, producing measurable patterns in exhaled breath and bodily fluids. Current analytical methods can be complex, time-consuming,... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image

Collaboration Combines AI Cognitive Assessment and RNA Blood Testing for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection

Alzheimer’s disease is often identified only after substantial neurodegeneration, partly because current diagnostic pathways are fragmented and difficult to scale. As treatment shifts toward earlier intervention,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2026 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.