Detecting Prostate Cancer with Molecular Markers: uPM3

[摘要] Prostate cancer is a major public health burden. In 2005, more than 232,000 new cases and 30,000 deaths from the disease are expected.1 One of the main ways in which we screen for prostate cancer is through the use of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Recently, however, the value of PSA as a screening tool has been questioned because it has become increasingly clear that many men with a “normal” PSA level can nevertheless have prostate cancer.2 New diagnostic measures are clearly needed. One approach, which is now commercially available, is the uPM3™ urine test (DiagnoCure; Quebec City, Quebec, Canada). This test is the first molecular test for prostate cancer screening. The uPM3 relies on the fact that prostate cancers have increased expression of a noncoding ribonucleic acid (RNA), differential display code 3 (DD3).3 The function of DD3 remains elusive; however, the fact that it is expressed at high levels by prostate cancers and at only very low levels by benign prostate tissue has been exploited for its possible role in prostate cancer detection. Here we review 3 recently reported studies that examined the role of uPM3 as a novel diagnostic tool for early-stage prostate cancer. For clarity, “uPM3” is the name of the diagnostic test, whereas “DD3,” now known as “PCA3,” is the name of the gene for which uPM3 tests.

[学科分类] 基础医学