REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE-POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION ASSAYS FOR PROSTATE-CANCER

The use of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays (RT- PCR) directed against prostate or prostate cancer-specific genes is a controversial topic. This article reviews the field thoroughly to deli neate areas where consensus may have been reached versus those areas o f continuing controversy. Regardless of the tissue substrate tested (b lood, marrow), there is apparent consensus that patients without cance r have negative assays. There is additional consensus supporting that untreated patients with metastatic disease have positive assays. At le ast three groups have shown that RT-PCR assays of prostate-specific an tigen mRNA provide unique prognostic information in the patients with clinically localized disease. There is continuing controversy of wheth er RT-PCR directed against any marker gene is of value in staging pros tate cancer.