It is common practice to use PSA≥4.0 µg/L as a clinical indicator for men at risk of PCa, however this is unverified in HIV + men. We aimed to describe kinetics and predictive value of PSA for prostate-cancer (PCa) in HIV+ men.
A nested-case-control study of 21 men with PCa and 40 matched-controls within EuroSIDA was conducted. Prospectively stored plasma samples before PCa (or matched date in controls) were measured for the following markers: Total PSA[tPSA], free PSA[fPSA], testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin[SHB]. Conditional logistic regression models investigated associations between markers and PCa. Mixed models were used to describe kinetics. Sensitivity and specificity of using tPSA >4 µg/L to predict PCa was calculated. ROC curves were used to identify optimal cut-offs in HIV+ men for total PSA.
61 HIV+ men were included with a median 6(IQR 2-9) years follow-up. Levels of tPSA increased by 13. 7% per year (95%CI:10. 3,17. 3) in cases, but was stable in controls (-0. 4%;95%CI:-2. 5,1. 7). Elevated PSA was associated with higher odds of PCa at first (OR for 2-fold-higher 4. 7;95%CI:1. 7-12. 9;P<0. 01) and last sample (8. 1;95%CI:1. 1,58. 9;P=0. 04). A similar relationship was seen between fPSA and PCa. Testosterone and SHBG level were not associated with PCa. tPSA level>4ng/mL had 99% specificity and 38% sensitivity. The optimal PSA cut-off was 1. 5ng/mL overall (specificity=84%, sensitivity=81%).
PSA was highly predictive of PCa in HIV+ men; however the commonly used PSA>4ng/mL to indicate high PCa risk was not sensitive in our population and use of the lower cut-off of PSA>1. 5ng/mL warrants consideration.
Antiviral therapy. 2016 Jan 29 [Epub ahead of print]
Leah Shepherd, Álvaro H Borges, Lene Ravn, Richard Harvey, Mark Bower, Andrew Grulich, Michael Silverberg, Gitte Kronborg, Massimo Galli, Ole Kirk, Jens Lundgren, Amanda Mocroft, EuroSIDA in EuroCOORD
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.