New research on BM2 protein may confirm its use in prostate cancer prognosis

NEW PROSTATE CANCER INFOLINK: The idea that B2M expression or activity might have some significant impact on the androgen signaling axis in patients with prostate cancer is interesting, and has potential future implications for the prognosis and even the treatment of prostate cancer (assuming that these new findings can be confirmed by others). READ MORE> and HERE>

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Diagnosis with early-stage prostate cancer unlikely to be a death sentence

REUTERS: Even without treatment, only a small minority of men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer die from the disease, Swedish researchers report. READ MORE>

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Doubt cast on whether gene fusion predicts anything useful for prostate cancer patients

NEW PROSTATE CANCER INFOLINK: Research into a fused gene present in prostate cancer patients shows it is not a helpful marker in predicting the effectiveness of hormone therapy. READ MORE>

We will have to hope that presence of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene can be used to predict something else about prostate cancer — otherwise what we will have is a very common “marker” that has no apparent clinical value.

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Size of prostate tumour is no guide to how risky it is

URO TODAY: There is no evidence that tumour volume is an independent predictor of prostate cancer outcome and it should not be considered as a marker of tumour risk, behaviour or prognosis. READ MORE>

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DNA measurements in prostate cancer samples help predict if treatment will be needed

URO TODAY: Measuring DNA in prostate cancer tissue samples and samples from adjacent benign areas helps predict if treatment for low-grade disease will be needed. READ MORE>

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New Japanese risk assessment system ranks advanced prostate cancer patients out of 12

URO TODAY: A new Japanese risk assessment system that ranks advanced prostate cancer patients out of 12 on Gleason score, PSA level, and clinical stage is the first for men undergoing primary androgen deprivation therapy. READ MORE>

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‘Nomograms’ best way to predict whether you’ll survive prostate cancer and for how long

JULY 31: URO TODAY: What’s the most accurate way your specialist can predict your fate when you first learn you have prostate cancer? Using something called a nomogram, according to latest analysis. READ MORE>

Researchers at the University of Montreal Health Center reviewed tools available to clinicians involved in treatment decisions in newly diagnosed prostate cancer and examined their accuracy to provide individual life expectancy.

“…nomograms provide the most accurate health-adjusted life expectancy prognostication,” they conclude.

What’s a nomogram?

It’s a calculation that gives an estimate – in this case, of life expectancy – after known information is fed into it.

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US has one for prostate cancer on its website. Anyone who knows the results of PSA, biopsy and Gleason grade can use it: CLICK HERE>

Here’s an example:

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Urine protein test for prostate cancer may be in use by 2011

JULY 24:  RENAL & UROLOGY NEWS: A protein that shows up in the urine of men with prostate cancer, but not those who don’t have it, may be an effective screening test by 2011, UK researchers believe. READ MORE>

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PSA doubling time no clear evidence for prostate cancer prognosis

JULY 18: URO TODAY: A new study finds no clear evidence that any definition of PSA dynamics – pre-treatment PSA velocity (or doubling time) – substantially enhances the predictive accuracy of a single pre-treatment PSA alone. READ MORE>

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More research needed before accuracy of new long-term prostate cancer risk tool is proven

JULY 18: NEW PROSTATE CANCER INFOLINK: Researchers are claiming that their Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score – using information at pre-treatment stage – accurately predicts long-term prostate cancer risk, but Mike Scott warns that another large-scale study may be needed before such a claim can be accepted. READ MORE>

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