Serum basic fibroblast growth factor in men with and without prostate carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Angiogenesis is essential for the growth of neoplasms. Increased vascularity has been associated with human prostatic carcinoma stage and has been shown to offer prognostic information. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent angiogenic inducer expressed in malignant prostate tissue. In this investigation, serum bFGF levels were measured in men with and without prostate cancer.


METHODS
Serum bFGF was measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in archival serum from men with various clinical stages of prostate carcinoma. Sera from men with negative systematic sector biopsies and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) less than 2.0 ng/ml served as controls. Prostate volume was measured with transrectal ultrasound.


RESULTS
Serum bFGF level was significantly higher in men with prostate carcinoma compared with those without (P < 0.0007). Among 44 men (11 with carcinoma) with a serum PSA less than 4.0 ng/ml, only bFGF level was associated with carcinoma (P = 0.008). Using a cutoff of 1.0 pg/ml, bFGF afforded a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 44% in this group. There was no association between bFGF levels and clinical stage, Gleason score, or prostate volume.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that serum levels of bFGF are elevated in most men with prostatic carcinoma. Although association with stage was not observed, the finding of significant elevation in most men with carcinoma who have "normal" serum PSA levels may indicate diagnostic utility for this analyte.
Meyer
G E
GE
University of Washington Department of Urology, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Yu
E
E
Siegal
J A
JA
Petteway
J C
JC
Blumenstein
B A
BA
Brawer
M K
MK
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen