PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF 5-ALPHA-REDUCTASE TYPE-2 IN URINE AS A POTENTIAL MARKER FOR PROSTATE DISEASE

The objective of this study was to find a biomarker, easily detectable and measurable, that could be useful to the physician for the diagnos is and management of prostate cancer. An immunoaffinity-purified polyc lonal antibody to the Scr-reductase type 2 isozyme was prepared follow ing standard procedures in New Zealand White rabbits. One hundred and seven urine samples were examined for the presence of this isozyme by Western blot, dot blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay assays. In a control group of 91 subjects (46 females and 45 males) with no hi story of prostate disease, only I female tested positive. In a test gr oup of 16 males, 4 males with adenocarcinoma of the prostate under tre atment with lupron/flutamide tested negative. Four males with untreate d adenocarcinoma of the prostate tested positive. Two males with trans itional cell carcinoma invading the prostatic ducts and two males with basal cell hyperplasia of the prostate with intraductal dysplasia tes ted positive. These results support the need for art extended study to explore the use of the Western blot or the simple dot blot and enzyme -linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of 5 alpha-reductase ty pe 2 in urine as a potential marker for prostate disease. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.