Circulating prostate specific antigen-positive cells correlate with metastatic prostate cancer.
Analytical flow cytometry was used to study circulating prostate specific antigen (PSA)-positive cells in 40 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed, untreated prostate cancer; 25 patients (63%) had metastatic disease confirmed by a positive bone scan. Cell suspensions were prepared for each patient from both the primary tumour and peripheral blood samples. The cells were stained with a monoclonal antibody against PSA, and analysed by flow cytometry; PSA-positive cells were sorted according to their immunofluorescence and light scatter properties. The cellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of each specimen was also analysed to establish ploidy status. PSA-positive cells were detected in the peripheral blood of 33 patients (83%). The presence of these cells in the circulation showed a higher degree of sensitivity and specificity in predicting positive bone scans than did serum PSA levels. Circulating PSA-positive cells may represent either a subpopulation of tumour cells with distinct metastatic properties or, alternatively, host immunocytes which take up PSA in an active or passive manner.
Hamdy
F C
FC
Department of Urology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
Lawry
J
J
Anderson
J B
JB
Parsons
M A
MA
Rees
R C
RC
Williams
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen