Effectiveness of evaluation of APC, GSTP1 and RASSF1A methylation level as a prostate cancer marker

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common oncological diseases, ranking fourth in the global mortality structure. Due to the absence of clinical manifestations in the early stages, and poor methods of differential laboratory diagnostics, the search for sensitive minimally invasive prostate cancer (PC) markers remains relevant. The aim of the study was to analyze APC, GSTP1 and RASSF1A methylation levels in biological material in prostate pathologies and their effectiveness in PC detection. Materials and Methods. For molecular genetic study of APC, GSTP1 and RASFF1A methylation levels by molecular-specific PCR test, the authors used genomic DNA isolated from samples of post-massage urine, blood plasma and biopsy material from patients with PC (n=34) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n=27). The control group consisted of 20 men without any identified pathology. Analysis of molecular-specific PCR products was carried out by 2 % agarose gel electrophoresis. Results. The average APC, GSTP1, and RASFF1A methylation level was mainly noted in all types of biological material. There were statistically significant differences between groups with pancreatic pathologies, taking into account biological material. The evaluation of the odds ratio of PC detection showed that the hypermethylated APC in post-massage urine, GSTP1 in blood plasma, and RASFF1A in biopsy material increased the probability of PC detection by 2.5, 12.1, and 4.1 times, respectively. Low sensitivity (55.3 %) and high specificity (87 %) of PC diagnostics in terms of APC methylation in post-massage urine, GSTP1 in blood plasma, and RASFF1A in biopsy material were shown. With the combined use of the methylation gene status, the sensitivity was 65.2 %, and the specificity was 82.4 %. When the total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value was added to the panel, the indices were 79.1 % and 82.9 %, respectively. Conclusion. APC methylation levels in post-massage urine, GSTP1 in blood plasma, and RASSF1A in biopsy can be considered as highly specific diagnostic PC markers. The combined use of these indicators increases the specificity of diagnosis in comparison with the initial PSA level. When included in the panel, the latter also increases the panel sensitivity for PC detection.