Anti-prostasome antibodies are not an appropriate prognostic marker for prostate cancer

Objective Antiprostasome antibodies (APAs) have been identified in serum of patients with prostate cancer and have been proposed as a new marker for metastatic disease. This study reassesses the role of APAs as a prognostic indicator for prostate cancer. Material and methods Serum samples from healthy controls (n7) and patients with prostate cancer (n22) were assayed for APAs using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results APAs in varying amounts were present in healthy individuals as well as in men with prostate cancer. Higher levels were inversely and significantly associated with prostatespecific antigen (PSA). No significant relationships were noted between APA levels and other parameters such as age, time since diagnosis, metastatic status, Gleason histological score and hormonal treatment. Conclusions The presence of serum APA is unlikely to be a strong prognostic indictor for prostate cancer on an individual basis as false positives will occur. However, such immune reactions which may be associated with PSA in cancer patients are in any case of interest in both the biology of prostate cancer and male fertility. The source of prostasomal antigen may be of critical importance to the outcome of the assay. However, immune reactions to prostasomes may be of considerable interest and warrant continued investigation