Prostate-Specific Antigen Kinetics Following 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Treatment May Be a Useful Indicator for Repeat Prostate Biopsy

Yonsei Med J. 2018 Mar;59(2):219-225. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2018.59.2.219.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate parameters for determining repeat prostate biopsy in patients with 5α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) treatment after initial negative biopsy.

Materials and methods: From January 2007 to December 2015, patients who underwent a repeat prostate biopsy after an initial negative biopsy were enrolled from multiple institutions. Serial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after the initial biopsy were analyzed for PSA kinetics. Clinicopathologic variables were evaluated according to the use of 5ARIs after the initial negative biopsy.

Results: Of 419 patients with initial negative biopsies (median age=67.0 years, median PSA=6.31 ng/mL), 101 patients (24.1%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer at the repeat biopsy. An increase in PSA level at 18 months, compared to that at 6 months, was a predictor of a positive repeat biopsy. However, the use of 5ARIs was not identified as a predictor. Of 126 patients receiving 5ARI treatment after the initial biopsy, 30 (23.8%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer at the repeat biopsy. Increase in PSA level at more than two time points after 6 months of 5ARI treatment (odds ratio=4.84, p=0.005) was associated with cancer detection at the repeat biopsy. There were no significant 5ARI group-related differences in the detection rates of prostate and high-grade cancers (Gleason score ≥7).

Conclusion: The effects of 5ARIs on prostate cancer detection and chemoprevention remain uncertain. However, more than two increases in PSA level after 6 months of 5ARI treatment may indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

Keywords: 5α-reductase inhibitors; Prostate biopsy; prostate-specific antigen.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Aged
  • Biopsy*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen