New Test for Prostate Cancer
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, collaborating with Onconome, Inc., published a paper in the current issue of the Journal of Urology detailing a new test to screen for prostate cancer. The new test, EPCA-2, is more sensitive and specific for prostate cancer.
The collaborative has been developing the EPCA-2 test, which detects the presence of a chemical almost exclusively associated with malignancy. One current benefit noted in limited studies is the ability to detect prostate cancer among men whose disease was not captured by current screening methods- PSA and digital rectal exam.
Scientists are hoping that further studies of the test will continue the trend observed thus far; improved accuracy diagnosing prostate cancers. The current test used, PSA, is associated with a high number of false positives, causing patients to undergo unnecessary biopsies.
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April 27, 2007 Related topics: Renal & Urology