Seminal Cell Free DNA Concentration Levels Discriminate Between Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Seminal plasma cfDNA (scfDNA) was recently proposed as a novel PCa biomarker. Our aim was to evaluate whether scfDNA could discriminate PCa from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients.

A cohort of 43 patients (18 and 25 pathology proven PCa and BPH patients), and 13 healthy age-matched control subjects were enrolled. scfDNA quantification was performed. Data were analyzed through ANOVA testing.

Average scfDNA concentrations were 1,407.83 ng/μl, 128.13 ng/μl and 78.09 ng/μl for PCa patients, BPH patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference among the groups, allowing for distinction of patients with optimal accuracy. A cut-off level of 450 ng/μl scfDNA was identified for the differentiation of PCa and BPH patients.

scfDNA concentrations are significantly different between PCa patients and BPH patients. scfDNA is a promising biomarker with several applications in PCa diagnosis, screening programs and therapeutic monitoring.

Anticancer research. 2018 Sep [Epub]

Giovanni Ponti, Monia Maccaferri, Salvatore Micali, Marco Manfredini, Riccardo Milandri, Giampaolo Bianchi, Giovanni Pellacani, Shaniko Kaleci, Johanna Chester, Andrea Conti, Chiara Del Prete, Aldo Tomasi

Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy ., Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy., Division of Urology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy., Dermatology Unit, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.