Prostate Cancer Diagnosis with Randox PSA Tumour Array

Randox Laboratories have developed a biochip array for simultaneous quantitative detection of three tumour markers in a single patient sample, providing a method to screen for prostate cancer. This revolutionary technology reduces the need for expensive invasive tests.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer found in men but if caught and treated early has a 90% cure rate. Thus early detection and continuous monitoring throughout the course of treatment is imperative. Current diagnosis involves prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurement alongside a digital rectal examination.

However, men with prostate cancer may have normal PSA levels resulting in false negative results. Conversely, men with a raised PSA may have benign conditions and may have to undergo unnecessary invasive procedures. Therefore PSA measurement alone is not sufficiently sensitive for prostate cancer diagnosis.

According to Company, the Randox PSA tumour biochip array quantitatively tests for both free and total PSA. The free to total PSA ratio is used to diagnose cancer when the total PSA result is inconclusive, thus is a more exact test. In addition, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a cancer antigen produced in response to malignant cells, is measured. Therefore free and total PSA, tested in conjunction with CEA, provides a more accurate and timely diagnosis.

Randox biochip array technology is based on an ELISA format and enables testing of up to 23 analytes using a single patient sample. The three assays on the PSA tumour array can be analyzed on Randox semi-automated or fully automated instruments with as little as 25ml of sample.