Molecular Bases And Clinical Applications Of Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (Pca3) Determination

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men. Although the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has significantly improved the detection of prostate cancer, its low specificity results in a high number of false positive and subsequently in unnecessary prostate biopsies. The PCA3, discovered in 1999, is a non-coding RNA that is overexpressed in prostate cancer. Quantitative analysis of PCA3 mRNA in urine was found to be a good predictor of the outcome of prostate biopsies. The test, based on transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) on urine collected after a digital rectal examination, has high specificity and is particularly useful in patients with a previous negative biopsy. Recently, some studies have suggested that PCA3 may also have a prognostic value and could be utilized in the initial decision for biopsy.