Dr. Gomella on Using Novel Biomarkers to Inform Biopsy Vs Observation in Prostate Cancer

Leonard G. Gomella, MD, professor, chair of the Department of Urology, and director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Network, of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, discusses using novel biomarkers to inform whether a biopsy is needed in prostate cancer.

Urine and blood markers identified with tools such as the SelectMDx urine test, ExosomeDx test, and 4Kscore® test can be used in the early detection of men with prostate cancer, says Gomella. Rather than diagnosing prostate cancer, these tests can provide additional data points to inform whether a patient who has an elevated prostate-specific antigen should undergo a biopsy or continue with active surveillance, Gomella explains.

Additionally, although MRI was not thought to be a relevant tool in prostate cancer, combining these novel clinical tests with MRI could increase the likelihood of identifying clinically relevant prostate cancer, Gomella says. However, a concern is that clinically unimportant cancers could also be identified, so the field is learning how to best determine which patients should undergo a biopsy, concludes Gomella.