COLLAGEN DERIVED SERUM MARKERS IN CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

Three new collagen markers deriving from the collagenous matrix, e.g. carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), carboxytermin al pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), an d aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) were used for the diagnose of prostatic bone metastases. Blood samples were obta ined prior to biopsy or TURF. Serum PICP, PIIINP and ICTP were measure d with commercial available RIAs and PSA by IRMA. Serum PSA was increa sed in patients with local prostatic cancer compared with patients wit h hyperplasia (p < 0.05). The level of PIIINP, ICTP, and PICP did not differ between these two groups. In patients with metastatic prostatic cancer all five markers were increased compared to measured in patien ts with localized (p < 0.0001). All variables showed a significant pos itive relationship with alkaline phosphatase. The sensitivity ranged f rom 0.53 to 0.62 and specificity from 0.91 to 0.95. The sensitivity fo r alkaline phosphatase and PSA was 0.69 and 0.66 and specificity 0.91 and 0.68, respectively.