Objective To systematically review the effectiveness and safety of radiotherapy combined with short-term or long-term hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. Methods Databases including EMbase, PubMed, Web of Science, CENTRAL and CBM were searched from inception to August 2012 to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on radiotherapy combined with short-term or long-term hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, data of the included studies were extracted, and the methodological quality was evaluated. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1, and the evidence qualities and recommendation levels were determined according to the GRADE System. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 3157 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the overall survival rate (RR=0.95, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.00) and the disease-free survival rate (RR=0.73, 95%CI 0.46 to 1.13) between the radiotherapy plus short-term hormonal therapy group (the short-term group) and the radiotherapy plus long-term hormonal therapy group (the long-term group). The long-term group was superior to the short-term group in biochemical failure-free survival rate (RR=0.81, 95%CI 0.68 to 0.97), clinical progression rate (RR=1.61, 95%CI 1.44 to 1.80), and prostate cancer-specific mortality (RR=1.44, 95%CI 1.16 to 1.80). Based on the GRADE system, the evidence level of biochemical failure-free survival was moderate with a weak recommendation; the evidence level of disease-free survival was low with a weak recommendation; the evidence level of overall survival was high with a weak recommendation; and the evidence levels of clinical progression rate and prostate cancer-specific mortality were high with a b recommendation. Conclusion Currently, the limited evidence shows extending the length of hormone therapy is beneficial for patients with localized prostate cancer and locally advanced prostate cancer, especially for patients with high Gleason score, but it cannot raise overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate. This conclusion still needs to be further proved by more high-quality and large-scale RCTs.
Objective To comprehensively evaluate the association between TNF-α gene −308 G/A polymorphism and the risk of prostate cancer. Methods A meta-analysis was performed to analyze the association between −308 G/A polymorphism and the risk of prostate cancer risk. Results A total of 11 case-control studies (4 919 cases and 5 210 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. The result showed no statistically significant differences in all genotype distribution between prostate cancer cases and controls: dominant model (OR=1.11, 95%CI 0.90 to 1.36, P=0.33), recessive model (OR=0.91, 95%CI 0.70 to 1.18, P=0.47), GA versus GG (OR=1.11, 95%CI 0.90 to 1.37, P=0.33), AA versus GG (OR=0.92, 95%CI 0.71 to 1.20, P=0.55), A versus G (OR=1.07, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.26, P=0.39). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no statistically differences were found between prostate cancer cases and controls. Conclusion This results of meta-analysis suggests that TNF-α gene –308G/A polymorphism may not be a risk factor of prostate cancer. Due to the limited quantity of the includied studies, further studies are needed to validate the above conclusion.
Objective To systemically evaluate the accuracy of f/t-PSA for diagnosing prostate cancer with a t-PSA level of 4-10ng/mL through meta-analysis. Methods A literature search of CBM, VIP, CNKI and Wanfang Data from 1999 to 2009 was performed. Related journals were also searched manually. Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality according to QUADAS items. Heterogenous studies and meta-analysis were conducted by Meta-Disc1.4 software. The analysis was based on different critical values of f/t-PSA (0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, and 0.3). Results Total 18 studies involving 2217 subjects were included. No threshold effect was found. But there was heterogeneity due to other factors. The meta–analysis showed that, the sensitivity of f/t-PSA with the critical value of 0.15 for the diagnosis of prostate cancer with a t-PSA level of 4-10ng/mL was 75% (95%CI 70%-79%), and the specificity was 81% (95%CI 78%-84%). The area under SROC curve was 0.883 5, and the Q index was 0.814 0. Conclusion The f/t-PSA is a better index for diagnosing prostate cancer with t-PSA levels between 4 and 10ng/mL. And it is reasonable to consider 0.15 as a more suitable critical value.
Prostate cancer is a common disease in the USA and Europe, with a gradually increasing incidence in China, and presents a significant health burden for older men. The lack of modifiable risk factors has made early detection as a strategy to reduce mortality. Current methods of screening involve the measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination followed by biopsy. With PSA screening evidence of level I absent, the evidence on the use of PSA as a screening test is still highly controversial. Furthermore, there is controversy over whether screen-detected lesions will become clinically significant. There are three major treatment options for localized disease: radical prostatectomy, radical radiotherapy and monitoring with treatment if required. There is no evidence of randomized controlled trial (RCT) to suggest a survival advantage of any of these treatments. Opinions about the related benefits and risks of screening vary widely. In the absence of RCT of benefit for screening, many now suggest “informed consensus” screening, which encourages a discussion between the patient and his physician with both sides informed of all of the issues.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and Dynamic Contrast-enhancement (DCE-MRI) with 1.5 T MR scanner in diagnosing prostate cancer. MethodsFrom April 2011 to December 2012, based on the results of biopsy, we measured 216 regions of interest (ROIs) in images of MRS and DCE-MRI, comprised of 131 ROIs from cancer zone and 85 ROIs from non-cancer zone. The data were analyzed with statistical methods, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsThere were significant differences between the malignant group and the benign group (P<0.05) in Cit integral, Cho integral, CC/Cit ratio, the type of time-signal intensity curve, initial value, enhancement rate and ratio of enhancement. According to ROC curve, the area under curve (AUC) of CC/Cit and enhancement rate was 0.853 and 0.719, respectively. AUC of time to peak, time difference, enhancement rate and Cit integral was lower than 0.400. The optimal operating point (OOP) of CC/Cit was 0.775, with a specificity of 0.85 and a sensitivity of 0.79, and the AUC was 0.853. The OOP of the ratio of enhancement was 60.89, with a specificity of 0.66 and a sensitivity of 0.71, and the AUC was 0.719. ConclusionMRS is more sensitive and specific than DCE-MRI to diagnose prostate cancer when an 1.5 T MR scanner is used. On the other hand, MRS is susceptible to interference, but DCE-MRI can make up for these deficiencies.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in prostate cancer tissue and explore its relations with tumor angiogenesis. MethodsThe expression of TNF-α and CD105 were detected with two-step immunohistochemical staining technique in 20 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia and 50 cases of prostate cancer between January 2010 and January 2012, and microvessel density (MVD) marked with CD105 was also measured. ResultsThe expressions of TNF-α and CD105 were higher in prostate cancer (41.72±8.67, 20.15±2.67) than those in benign prostatic hyperplasia (21.01±3.85, 4.34±1.67) (t'=13.990, P<0.001; t'=29.771, P<0.001). TNF-α and MVD were not correlated with age and size of tumor, but were positively correlated with tumor differentiation degree (rs=0.847, P<0.001; rs=0.776, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with clinical grades (rs=-0.769, P<0.001; rs=-0.842, P<0.001). ConclusionThe result indicates that over expression of TNF-α exists in prostate cancer. It may play an important role in the anginogenesis and carcinogenesis of prostate cancer.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of T2 weighted image (T2WI) and some compounded MRI techniques, including T2WI combined with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (T2WI+MRS), T2WI combined with diffusion weighted imaging (T2WI+DWI) and T2WI combined with dynamic contrast-enhancement [T2WI+(DCE-MRI)] respectively, with 1.5 T MR scanner in diagnosing prostate cancer through a blinding method. MethodsBetween March 2011 and April 2013, two observers diagnosed 59 cases with a blinding method. The research direction of radiologist A was to diagnose prostate cancer. The observers diagnosed and scored the cases with T2WI, T2WI+(DCE-MRI), T2WI+MRS, T2WI+DWI and compositive method respectively. The data were statistically analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsAccording to the ROC curve, both observers got the sequence of area under curve (AUC) as T2WI+DWI > T2WI+(DCE-MRI) > T2WI+MRS > T2WI. On the basis of the result from observer A, the AUC from each technique was similar. The AUC of T2+DWI was slightly bigger than others. The specificity of single T2WI was the lowest; the sensitivity of T2WI was slightly higher. The AUC of the compositive method was marginally larger than T2WI+DWI. According to the result from observer B, the AUC of T2WI+DWI was obviously larger than the others. The AUC of single T2WI was much smaller than the other techniques. The single T2WI method had the lowest sensitivity and the highest specificity. The AUC of T2WI+DWI was slightly larger than the compositive method. The AUC of T2WI+(DCE-MRI), T2WI+MRS, single T2WI methods from observer A was obviously higher than those from the score of observer B. The AUC of T2WI+DWI from the two observers was similar. ConclusionThe method of combined T2WI and functional imaging sequences can improve the diagnosing specificity when a 1.5 T MR scanner is used. T2WI+DWI is the best method in diagnosing prostate cancer with least influence from the experience of observers in this research. The compositive method can improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer effectively, but when there are contradictions between different methods, the T2WI+DWI should be considered as a key factor.
ObjectiveTo assess whether hyperlipoidemia affects the occurrence and progression of prostate cancer (PCA). MethodsA hospital based retrospective study was carried out in Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University using data from a total of 112 cases of PCA, which underwent radical prostatectomy due to suspected PCA and confirmed by prostate biopsy pathology. ResultsOf the 112 PCA patients, 64 (57.14%) were PCA with hyperlipoidemia (PCA-H). Compared with PCA patients, the patients of PCA-H patients had younger onset age (65.0±5.0 vs. 67.8±3.7, P=0.001), increased prostate volume (75.0±11.7 mL vs. 54.5±8.5 mL, P < 0.001), increased level of TPSA (61.4±23.3 ng/mL vs. 33.4±14.9 ng/mL, P < 0.001), and Gleason grade (6.9±1.8 vs. 5.0±1.9, P < 0.001), later clinical stage (P < 0.001), shorter survival time (49.8±12.7 months vs. 57.3±6.2 months, P < 0.001) and decreased 5 years of survival rate (51.6% vs. 77.1%, P=0.006). The level of cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein was significantly associated with the rejuvenation of onset age, the enlargement of prostate volume, increasing of serum TPSA, the progression of TNM clinical stage, increasing of Gleason grade, shorten of survival time and dropping of 5 years of survival rate (P < 0.05). In multiplefactor regression analysis, only hyperlipoidemia (OR=3.204, P=0.022) and Gleason grade (OR=8.611, P < 0.001) were the independent risk factors of prognosis. ConclusionThe situation of PCA with hyperlipoidemia is frequently noted in clinics, and hyperlipoidemia may be one of the risk factors in the processes of PCA growth and progression.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the correlation between Survivin expression and prostate cancer, as well as its clinicopathologic features in Chinese population. MethodsSuch databases as PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched from inception to November, 2015 to collect case-control studies about the correlation between Survivin expression and prostate cancer, as well as its clinically pathologic characteristics in Chinese population. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 32 case-control studies were included, involving 1613 prostate cancer cases, 708 benign prostatic hyperplasia cases, and 93 controls. The results of meta-analysis showed that the prostate cancer group had a higher Survivin expression level when compared with the benign prostatic hyperplasia group (OR=32.95, 95% CI 19.88 to 54.63, P<0.00001) or the control group (OR=75.78, 95% CI 26.97 to 212.98, P<0.00001). Moreover, the expression level of Survivin was higher in the low and medium differentiation group than in the high differentiation group (OR=4.45, 95% CI 3.13 to 6.32, P<0.00001), higher in the stage of C+D than in the stage of A+B (OR 5.42, 95% CI 2.91 to10.10, P<0.00001), and higher in the prostate cancer with lymph node metastasis than in the prostate cancer without lymph node metastasis (OR 4.07, 95% CI 2.91 to 10.10, P<0.00001). ConclusionCurrent evidence indicates that the expression level of Survivin is significantly correlated with prostate cancer and its clinicopathologic features in Chinese population. Due to the limited quantity and quality of included studies, above conclusions need to be verified by conducting more high quality studies.