Gene Test Shows Better Result In Prostate Cancer Prediction
Researchers reveal that a blood test that is able to characterize prostate tumor by its unique genetic pattern may help to determine whether a man has prostate cancer. Managing Director of the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute in Boston, Robert Ross explains that, recent studies have successfully generated a genetic tool that out perform the basic PSA testing in determine prostate cancer.
In basic testing, PSA levels count the protein known as prostate-specific antigen generated by the cells in the prostate. If the PSA level is high, it may be a sign of cancer.
The new test which monitors the activity of 6 genes responsible for prostate cancer was introduced at the yearly conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
According to Ross, men with high PSA lever will have to go through biopsy. Even then, about 60% of these tests show negative result. Every year more than 1 million men undergo the anxiety and pain due to biopsies. The new genetic test can aid the patients to avoid any such discomforting feelings because of biopsies.
The scientists’ experiment started with 392 pair of genes associated with cancer by using a device known as gene chip. They collected blood samples of 76 males diagnosed with prostate cancer and 76 healthy males. They then extracted 6 genes which dominated prostate cancer. This method was repeated again for evaluation on blood samples of 128 males diagnosed with prostate cancer and 84 males without any disease.
Result from the experiment shows that the 6-gene test correctly identified 86% of men with prostate cancer while PSA only manage to identify 70%. When the PSA test along with gene test was used together for diagnosis, the result was perfectly satisfactory. Scientist are now working on further study to see if the new gene test can correctly predicts biopsy results in a 1,000 male.