Dr. Gomella on the Challenges of Optimizing PSA as a Biomarker in Prostate Cancer

Leonard G. Gomella, MD, The Bernard W. Godwin Professor of Prostate Cancer, Thomas Jefferson University, chairman, Department of Urology, senior director, Clinical Affairs, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Enterprise EVP Urology, Jefferson Health System, discusses the challenges of optimizing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a biomarker in prostate cancer.

Despite some of the challenges with utilizing PSA as a biomarker, the field has been reliant on it to follow men who have been treated for prostate cancer, Gomella explains. However, PSA alone is not sufficient in informing which patients have high-risk and should undergo a biopsy.

Moreover, the best method of evaluating PSA is unknown, be it a urine or blood test, Gomella says. Additionally, other tests, such as genetic testing or single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis, may be useful in guiding the decision of whether to biopsy for men with prostate cancer.

Additionally, selecting between available tests is challenging. Head-to-head data comparing the testing platforms should be taken into consideration when selecting between the available tests, Gomella concludes.