Background/aim: Seminal plasma cfDNA (scfDNA) was recently proposed as a novel PCa biomarker. Our aim was to evaluate whether scfDNA could discriminate PCa from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients.
Patients and methods: A cohort of 43 patients (18 and 25 pathology proven PCa and BPH patients), and 13 healthy age-matched control subjects were enrolled. scfDNA quantification was performed. Data were analyzed through ANOVA testing.
Results: Average scfDNA concentrations were 1,407.83 ng/μl, 128.13 ng/μl and 78.09 ng/μl for PCa patients, BPH patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference among the groups, allowing for distinction of patients with optimal accuracy. A cut-off level of 450 ng/μl scfDNA was identified for the differentiation of PCa and BPH patients.
Conclusion: scfDNA concentrations are significantly different between PCa patients and BPH patients. scfDNA is a promising biomarker with several applications in PCa diagnosis, screening programs and therapeutic monitoring.
Keywords: Seminal plasma cfDNA; fluorimetry; liquid biopsy; prostate cancer; prostate cancer screening; spermal cfDNA; urological biomarkers.
Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.