Expression of PSA mRNA in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood in patients with prostate cancer

Objective: To investigate the expressions of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) mRNA in mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood in prostate cancer patients and controls and discuss its clinical significance. Methods: 39 patients with prostate cancer and 12 healthy men were selected (normal control group). 5 mL anticoagulant blood was collected in every individual. The expressions of PSA mRNA in the mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood were measured by RT-PCR after delamination of the monoclear cells. Results: 1) 26 of 39 (66.7%) patients had positive PSA mRNA expression, in which (23 cases) serum PSA>20.0 μg·L-1, positive rate of PSA mRNA expression was 87.9% (20/23), while those serum PSA≤20.0 μg·L-1, positive rate of PSA mRNA expression was 37.5% (6/16). 2) In the 6 cases whose PSA mRNA was positive and serum PSA≤20.0 μg·L-1, the distribution of the biopsy Gleason were 1-4 score 0/3, 5-7 score 1/8, 8-10 score 5/5, pathologic findings revealed middle and low differentiation carcinoma in 6 patients with positive expression of PSA mRNA. Conclusion: The detection of PSA mRNA has high sensitivity in prostate cancer patients whose serum PSA>20.0 μg·L-1, which is a reliable method. The detection of PSA mRNA in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood can predict the micrometastasis in prostate cancer patients whose PSA≤20.0 μg·L-1. (authors)