BACKGROUND: Alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme-A racemase (AMACR) has been shown to be a highly specific marker for prostate cancer cells, even in the earliest stages of malignant progression. It is expressed at much higher levels than prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in malignant tissues, and is not expressed at appreciable levels in normal prostatic epithelium. In this study, we demonstrate the quantitative detection of AMACR transcripts in peripheral blood of prostate cancer patients using real-time RT-PCR. In addition, we have undertaken a pilot study to demonstrate the potential application of this technique for the detection of prostate tumor cells in urine samples from patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: A real-time RT-PCR assay was developed for detection of the expression of AMACR in prostate cancer patients. Blood samples from 163 patients were tested at various stages of disease progression, with or without therapy. Blood specimens from patients with benign prostate disorders and other types of cancer were also evaluated. RESULTS: In 28 of 58 samples from patients with known metastatic disease who were undergoing treatment, an AMACR expression signal above the cut-off value was detected, consistent with the presence of circulating tumor cells. In 39 of 88 patients with presumptive organ-confined disease, there was evidence of low levels of circulating tumor cells. Comparison of AMACR RT-PCR with known serum PSA values indicated that a combination of these parameters significantly increased the sensitivity for detection of progressive disease. In a pilot study analyzing urine samples from seven prostate cancer patients, elevated AMACR expression levels were detected in the urine sediments of four of six stage-T1 prostate cancer patients and in the one patient with stage-T2 prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: The data presented in this study indicates that AMACR real-time RT-PCR may aid in the detection and staging of prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND:Alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme-A racemase (AMACR) has been shown to be a highly specific marker for prostate cancer cells, even in the earliest stages of malignant progression. It is expressed at much higher levels than prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in malignant tissues, and is not expressed at appreciable levels in normal prostatic epithelium. In this study, we demonstrate the quantitative detection of AMACR transcripts in peripheral blood of prostate cancerpatients using real-time RT-PCR. In addition, we have undertaken a pilot study to demonstrate the potential application of this technique for the detection of prostate tumor cells in urine samples from patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: A real-time RT-PCR assay was developed for detection of the expression of AMACR in prostate cancerpatients. Blood samples from 163 patients were tested at various stages of disease progression, with or without therapy. Blood specimens from patients with benign prostate disorders and other types of cancer were also evaluated. RESULTS: In 28 of 58 samples from patients with known metastatic disease who were undergoing treatment, an AMACR expression signal above the cut-off value was detected, consistent with the presence of circulating tumor cells. In 39 of 88 patients with presumptive organ-confined disease, there was evidence of low levels of circulating tumor cells. Comparison of AMACR RT-PCR with known serum PSA values indicated that a combination of these parameters significantly increased the sensitivity for detection of progressive disease. In a pilot study analyzing urine samples from seven prostate cancerpatients, elevated AMACR expression levels were detected in the urine sediments of four of six stage-T1 prostate cancerpatients and in the one patient with stage-T2 prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: The data presented in this study indicates that AMACR real-time RT-PCR may aid in the detection and staging of prostate cancer.
Authors: S Gelmini; C Tricarico; G Vona; L Livi; A D Melina; S Serni; E Cellai; S Magrini; D Villari; M Carini; M Serio; G Forti; M Pazzagli; C Orlando Journal: Clin Chem Lab Med Date: 2001-05 Impact factor: 3.694
Authors: Sandra R Reynolds; Jeff Albrecht; Richard L Shapiro; Daniel F Roses; Matthew N Harris; Andrew Conrad; Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte; Jean-Claude Bystryn Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2003-04 Impact factor: 12.531
Authors: J Xu; M Kalos; J A Stolk; E J Zasloff; X Zhang; R L Houghton; A M Filho; M Nolasco; R Badaró; S G Reed Journal: Cancer Res Date: 2001-02-15 Impact factor: 12.701
Authors: R Beach; A M Gown; M N De Peralta-Venturina; A L Folpe; H Yaziji; P G Salles; D J Grignon; G R Fanger; M B Amin Journal: Am J Surg Pathol Date: 2002-12 Impact factor: 6.394
Authors: Richard M Gewanter; Aaron E Katz; Carl A Olsson; Mitchell C Benson; Arun Singh; Peter B Schiff; Ronald D Ennis Journal: Urology Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 2.649