A significant proportion of patients with positive multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI; Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] scores of 3-5) have negative biopsy results.
To systematically assess all prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) values and identify an appropriate cutoff for identification of patients with positive mpMRI who could potentially avoid biopsy on the basis of their PI-RADS score.
The study included a cohort of 1341 patients with positive mpMRI who underwent combined targeted and systematic biopsies.
Multivariable logistic regression analysis (MVA) was used to assess the association between PSAD and the risk of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa, grade group ≥2) after adjusting for confounders. We used locally weighted scatterplot smoothing to explore csPCa risk according to PSAD and PI-RADS scores. PSAD utility was observed only for patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions, so we plotted the effect of each PSAD value as a cutoff for this subgroup in terms of biopsies saved, csPCa cases missed, and clinically insignificant PCa (ciPCa, grade group 1) cases not detected.
Overall, 667 (50%) csPCa cases were identified. On MVA, PSAD independently predicted csPCa (odds ratio 1.57; p < 0.001). For PI-RADS ≥4 lesions, the csPCa risk was ≥40% regardless of PSAD. Conversely, among patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions, csPCa risk ranged from 0% to 60% according to PSAD values, and a PSAD cutoff of 0.10 ng/ml/cm3 corresponded to a threshold probability of 10% for csPCa. Using this PSAD cutoff for patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions would have saved 32% of biopsies, missed 7% of csPCa cases, and avoided detection of 34% of ciPCa cases. Limitations include selection bias and the high experience of the radiologists and urologists involved.
Patients with PI-RADS ≥4 lesions should undergo prostate biopsy regardless of their PSAD, while PSAD should be used to stratify patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions. Using a threshold probability of 10% for csPCa, our data suggest that the appropriate strategy is to avoid biopsy in patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions and PSAD <0.10 ng/ml/cm3. Our results also provide information to help in tailoring an appropriate strategy for every patient with positive mpMRI findings.
We investigated whether a cutoff value for PSAD (prostate-specific antigen density) could identify patients with suspicious prostate lesions on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) who could avoid biopsy according to the PI-RADS score for their scan. We found that patients with PI-RADS ≥4 should undergo prostate biopsy regardless of their PSAD. A PSAD cutoff of 0.10 should be used to stratify patients with PI-RADS 3.
European urology focus. 2023 Oct 19 [Epub ahead of print]
Francesco Pellegrino, Armando Stabile, Gabriele Sorce, Leonardo Quarta, Daniele Robesti, Donato Cannoletta, Giuseppe Cirulli, Francesco Barletta, Simone Scuderi, Elio Mazzone, Mario de Angelis, Giorgio Brembilla, Francesco De Cobelli, Andrea Salonia, Francesco Montorsi, Alberto Briganti, Giorgio Gandaglia
Division of Oncology/Unit of Urology, Soldera Prostate Cancer Laboratory, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: ., Division of Oncology/Unit of Urology, Soldera Prostate Cancer Laboratory, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy., Department of Radiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.