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Detection of telomerase activity in prostate massage samples improves differentiating prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology volume 130, pages 217–221 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

We performed a case-control study in which we tested the ability of a non-invasive assay to detect telomerase activity and to distinguish between prostatic cancer (Pca) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on samples of epithelial cells obtained after prostatic massage.

Methods

Telomerase activity was determined by a telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. We selected 60 patients with histologically proven Pca (30 cases) or BPH (30 cases). Specimens included in this study were from patients who had no suspicious findings on digital rectal examination for cancer, had clinical evidence of lower urinary tract symptoms, had no sonographic signs of Pca at the transrectal ultrasound evaluation, had total PSA values moderately elevated (2.6–15 ng/ml), and had no evidence of other urological cancers. The whole procedure was conducted in double blind between pathologists and molecular biology operators.

Results

Telomerase activity was detected in 90% of Pca cases and in 13% of BPH cases. The sensitivity (90%) and specificity (76%) of this method were calculated. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic efficiency were 87%, 90%, and 88% respectively.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that telomerase activity detected by TRAP assay on prostate epithelial cells collected by prostate massage can substantially improve the distinction between Pca and BPH conditions. One of the clinical benefits resulting from the use of this new assay would be to refine the biopsy indication and to avoid for several patients without Pca the unnecessary cost and the complications of prostate biopsy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

    Carlo Vicentini, Giovanni Luca Gravina & Antonio Fileni

  2. Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio 11/A, 67100, Coppito, L’Aquila, Italy

    Adriano Angelucci, Paola Muzi, Claudio Festuccia & Mauro Bologna

  3. Department of Basic and Applied Biology, University of L’Aquila, Coppito, L’Aquila, Italy

    Mauro Bologna

  4. Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of La Sapienza, Rome

    Esterina Pascale

  5. Istituto di Neurobiologia e di Medicina Molecolare, CNR, Rome, Italy

    Ettore D’Ambrosio

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, University of L’Aquila, Coppito, L’Aquila, Italy

    Gabriella Di Leonardo

  7. Department of Urology, 2nd School of Medicine “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Andrea Tubaro

Authors
  1. Carlo Vicentini
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  2. Giovanni Luca Gravina
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  3. Adriano Angelucci
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  4. Esterina Pascale
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  5. Ettore D’Ambrosio
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  6. Paola Muzi
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  7. Gabriella Di Leonardo
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  8. Antonio Fileni
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  9. Andrea Tubaro
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  10. Claudio Festuccia
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  11. Mauro Bologna
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudio Festuccia.

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Vicentini, C., Gravina, G.L., Angelucci, A. et al. Detection of telomerase activity in prostate massage samples improves differentiating prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 130, 217–221 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-003-0525-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-003-0525-8

Keywords

  • Telomerase
  • Prostate cancer
  • Prostate massage
  • TRAP activity
  • Early diagnosis