Objective: To investigate the expression of DD3 mRNA in the peripheral blood and its value in diagnostic of prostate cancer (Pca).
Methods: Thirty-five untreated Pca patients, aged 72 (53 - 83), 58 Pca patients treated with endocrinotherapy, aged 74 (53 - 86), and 59 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, aged 71 (48 - 85), underwent peripheral blood sample collection one week before or after digital examination. RT-PCR was used to examine the level of DD3 mRNA. The level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) was detected too. Ten healthy male frontiers, aged 33 (21 - 38), were used as controls. Receiver operating curve (ROC) was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic performance of DD3 mRNA.
Results: The DD3 mRNA level of the untreated Pca patients was 2741 copies/ml, significantly higher than those of the Pca patients treated with endocrinotherapy, patients with benign hyperplasia, and healthy persons (all < 24 copies, all P < 0.001). The DD3 mRNA level of the endocrinotherapy-treated Pca patients was significantly higher than those of the patients with benign hyperplasia, and healthy persons (both P < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that when the critical value was 846 copies/ml the area under curve of ROC (AUC-ROC) was 0.8233 (95% CI: 0.725 - 0.910). and the sensitivity was 74.34%, the specificity was 89.8%. The DD3 mRNA in the peripheral blood increased along with the increase of clinical staging (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The level of DD3 mRNA in the peripheral blood is an excellent marker for diagnosis pf Pca, and may help in monitoring of the curative effects of endocrinotherapy.