Amy Blase

TL;DR: The APTIMA® PCA3 assay combines simple specimen processing with precise assays and existing instruments and could add specificity to the current algorithm for prostate cancer diagnosis.

TL;DR: PCA3 is independent of prostate volume, serum prostate specific antigen level and the number of prior biopsies and logistic regression results suggest that the PCA3 score could be incorporated into a nomogram for improved prediction of biopsy outcome.

TL;DR: In men undergoing repeat prostate biopsy to rule out cancer, the urinary PCA3 score was superior to serum PSA determination for predicting the biopsy outcome, suggesting that thePCA3 assay could have an important role in prostate cancer diagnosis.

TL;DR: By combining the cancer-specific fusion TMPRSS2:ERG score with levels of PSA (in serum) and PCA3 (in urine), Tomlins and colleagues demonstrated more accurate, individualized stratification of men at high risk for developing clinically significant prostate cancer—an important step in streamlining diagnosis and treatment.

TL;DR: The PCA3 score appears to stratify men based on prostatectomy tumor volume and Gleason score, and may have clinical applicability in selecting men who have low volume/low grade cancer.