The utility of prostate-specific antigen as a surrogate marker for identification of high-risk cohorts and assessing response in chemoprevention trials.

Abstract

Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most important tumor marker in oncology practice. It may assume a similar role in chemoprevention strategies. It is a simple and reproducible blood test that can both identify a high-risk cohort and provide meaningful information regarding the response to intervention. A wealth of information is available regarding the relationship of PSA to age, race and velocity. Free and total values may serve to further define high-risk cohorts and provide a barometer for response and disease presence in chemoprevention trials.