PSA, PSA derivatives, proPSA and prostate health index in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

Abstract

Currently, prostate- specifc antigen (PSA) is the most common oncological marker used for prostate cancer screening. However, high levels of PSA in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis decrease the specifc - ity of PSA as a cancer marker. To increase the specifcity of PSA, PSA derivatives and PSA kinetics have been used. However, these new techniques were not able to increase the diagnostic specifcity for prostate cancer.Therefore, the search for new molecules and derivatives of PSA continues. With the aim of increasing the specifcity of prostate cancer diagnosis, proPSA and the Prostate Health Index have been introduced. In this review, the roles of PSA, PSA derivatives, proPSA and the Prostate Health Index in Prostate Cancer diagnosis are examined.