MRI-Targeted or Standard Biopsy in Prostate Cancer Screening.

BACKGROUND: High rates of overdiagnosis are a critical barrier to organized prostate cancer screening. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with targeted biopsy has shown the potential to address this challenge, but the implications of its use in the context of organized prostate cancer screening are unknown. METHODS: We conducted a population-based noninferiority trial of prostate cancer screening in which men 50 to 74 years of age from the general population were invited by mail to participate; participants with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 3 ng per milliliter or higher were randomly assigned, in a 2:3 ratio, to undergo a standard biopsy (standard biopsy group) or to undergo MRI, with targeted and standard biopsy if the MRI results suggested prostate cancer (experimental biopsy group). The primary outcome was the proportion of men in the intention-to-treat population in whom clinically significant cancer (Gleason score ≥7) was diagnosed. A key secondary outcome was the detection of clinically insignificant cancers (Gleason score 6). RESULTS: Of 12,750 men enrolled, 1532 had PSA levels of 3 ng per milliliter or higher and were randomly assigned to undergo biopsy: 603 were assigned to the standard biopsy group and 929 to the experimental biopsy group. In the intention-to-treat analysis, clinically significant cancer was diagnosed in 192 men (21%) in the experimental biopsy group, as compared with 106 men (18%) in the standard biopsy group (difference, 3 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1 to 7; P<0.001 for noninferiority). The percentage of clinically insignificant cancers was lower in the experimental biopsy group than in the standard biopsy group (4% [41 participants] vs. 12% [73 participants]; difference, -8 percentage points; 95% CI, -11 to -5). CONCLUSIONS: MRI with targeted and standard biopsy in men with MRI results suggestive of prostate cancer was noninferior to standard biopsy for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer in a population-based screening-by-invitation trial and resulted in less detection of clinically insignificant cancer. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; STHLM3-MRI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03377881.).

Prostate cancer screening using a combination of risk-prediction, MRI, and targeted prostate biopsies (STHLM3-MRI): a prospective, population-based, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Screening for prostate cancer using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduces prostate cancer mortality but can lead to adverse outcomes. We aimed to compare a traditional screening approach with a diagnostic strategy of blood-based risk prediction combined with MRI-targeted biopsies. METHODS: We did a prospective, population-based, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial (STHLM3-MRI) in Stockholm county, Sweden. Men aged 50-74 years were randomly selected by Statistics Sweden and invited by mail to participate in screening; those with an elevated risk of prostate cancer, defined as either a PSA of 3 ng/mL or higher or a Stockholm3 score of 0·11 or higher were eligible for randomisation. Men with a previous prostate cancer diagnosis, who had undergone a prostate biopsy within 60 days before the invitation to participate, with a contraindication for MRI, or with severe illness were excluded. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (2:3) using computer-generated blocks of five, stratified by clinically significant prostate cancer risk, to receive either systematic prostate biopsies (standard group) or biparametric MRI followed by MRI-targeted and systematic biopsy in MRI-positive participants (experimental group). The primary outcome was the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer at prostate biopsy, defined as a Gleason score of 3 + 4 or higher. We used a margin of 0·78 to assess non-inferiority for the primary outcome. Key secondary outcome measures included the proportion of men with clinically insignificant prostate cancer (defined as a Gleason score of 3 + 3), and the number of any prostate MRI and biopsy procedures done. We did two comparisons: Stockholm3 (using scores of 0·11 and 0·15 as cutoffs) versus PSA in the experimental group (paired analyses) and PSA plus standard biopsy versus Stockholm3 plus MRI-targeted and systematic biopsy (unpaired, randomised analyses). All analyses were intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03377881. FINDINGS: Between Feb 5, 2018, and March 4, 2020, 49 118 men were invited to participate, of whom 12 750 were enrolled and provided blood specimens, and 2293 with elevated risk were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=1372) or the standard group (n=921). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer was 0·76 (95% CI 0·72-0·80) for Stockholm3 and 0·60 (0·54-0·65) for PSA. In the experimental group, a Stockholm3 of 0·11 or higher was non-inferior to a PSA of 3 ng/mL or higher for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (227 vs 192; relative proportion [RP] 1·18 [95% CI 1·09-1·28], p<0·0001 for non-inferiority), and also detected a similar number of low-grade prostate cancers (50 vs 41; 1·22 [0·96-1·55], p=0·053 for superiority) and was associated with more MRIs and biopsies. Compared with PSA of 3 ng/mL or higher, a Stockholm3 of 0·15 or higher provided identical sensitivity to detect clinically significant cancer, and led to fewer MRI procedures (545 vs 846; 0·64 [0·55-0·82]) and fewer biopsy procedures (311 vs 338; 0·92 (0·86-1·03). Compared with screening using PSA and systematic biopsies, a Stockholm3 of 0·11 or higher combined with MRI-targeted and systematic biopsies was associated with higher detection of clinically significant cancers (227 [3·0%] men tested vs 106 [2·1%] men tested; RP 1·44 [95% CI 1·15-1·81]), lower detection of low-grade cancers (50 [0·7%] vs 73 [1·4%]; 0·46 [0·32-0·66]), and led to fewer biopsy procedures. Patients randomly assigned to the experimental group had a lower incidence of prescription of antibiotics for infection (25 [1·8%] of 1372 vs 41 [4·4%] of 921; p=0·0002) and a lower incidence of admission to hospital (16 [1·2%] vs 31 [3·4%]; p=0·0003) than those in the standard group. INTERPRETATION: The Stockholm3 test can inform risk stratification before MRI and targeted biopsies in prostate cancer screening. Combining the Stockholm3 test with an MRI-targeted biopsy approach for prostate cancer screening decreases overdetection while maintaining the ability to detect clinically significant cancer. FUNDING: The Swedish Cancer Society, the Swedish Research Council, and Stockholm City Council.

Seminal plasma induces inflammation and enhances HIV-1 replication in human cervical tissue explants.

The most immediate and evident effect of mucosal exposure to semen in vivo is a local release of proinflammatory mediators accompanied by an influx of leukocytes into the female genital mucosa (FGM). The implication of such response in HIV-1 transmission has never been addressed due to limitations of currently available experimental models. Using human tissue explants from the uterine cervix, we developed a system of mucosal exposure to seminal plasma (SP) that supports HIV-1 replication. Treatment of ectocervical explants with SP resulted in the upregulation of inflammatory and growth factors, including IL-6, TNF, CCL5, CCL20, CXCL1, and CXCL8, and IL1A, CSF2, IL7, PTGS2, as evaluated by measuring protein levels in explant conditioned medium (ECM) and gene expression in tissue. SP treatment was also associated with increased recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils, as observed upon incubation of peripheral blood leukocytes with ECM in a transwell system. To evaluate the impact of the SP-mediated response on local susceptibility to HIV-1, we infected ectocervical explants with the CCR5-tropic variant HIV-1BaL either in the presence of SP, or after explant pre-incubation with SP. In both experimental settings SP enhanced virus replication as evaluated by HIV-1 p24gag released in explant culture medium over time, as well as by HIV-1 DNA quantification in explants infected in the presence of SP. These results suggest that a sustained inflammatory response elicited by SP soon after coitus may promote HIV-1 transmission to the FGM. Nevertheless, ectocervical tissue explants did not support the replication of transmitted/founder HIV-1 molecular clones, regardless of SP treatment. Our system offers experimental and analytical advantages over traditional models of HIV-1 transmission for the study of SP immunoregulatory effect on the FGM, and may provide a useful platform to ultimately identify new determinants of HIV-1 infection at this site.

Correction: Seminal plasma induces inflammation and enhances HIV-1 replication in human cervical tissue explants.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006402.].

Repeated Prostate Cancer Screening Using Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing and Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Secondary Analysis of the STHLM3-MRI Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed to enhance the benefit-to-harm ratio of prostate cancer screening, but data on repeated screening outcomes are lacking. Objective: To describe outcomes of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening with MRI and prostate biopsies at repeat screening. Design, Setting, and Participants: This secondary analysis examined the population-based, screen-by-invitation STHLM3-MRI randomized clinical trial, which recruited Swedish men aged 50 to 74 years. Men were eligible for repeat screening at 2 to 3 years if they had PSA levels of 1.5 ng/mL or greater at trial inclusion, were randomized to the MRI-targeted group (including screening using biomarkers and MRI), and were not diagnosed with prostate cancer after the first screening round. Repeat screening was performed between November 10, 2021, and February 20, 2023. Data analysis was performed between May and August 2023. Intervention: Participants underwent blood sampling, including PSA testing. A biparametric MRI scan was performed if PSA levels were 3 ng/mL or greater, and men with lesions with a Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score of 3 or greater were referred for targeted and systematic biopsies. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason score of ≥3 + 4). Secondary outcomes included the proportion of men with clinically insignificant cancer (Gleason score of 6), the number of elevated PSA tests, MRI scans, and biopsy procedures. Results: Of 7609 men from the first screening round, 2078 (27.3%) were eligible for and were invited for rescreening. Among the invitees, 1500 (72.2%) participated. Their median age was 67 (IQR, 61-72) years. Of 1094 men with PSA levels between 1.5 and 2.9 ng/mL in the first screening round, 326 (29.8%) had levels of 3 ng/mL or greater in the second round. Overall, 667 men (44.5%) had PSA levels of 3 ng/mL or greater: 617 underwent MRI (92.5%), revealing 51 (7.6%) with equivocal lesions (PI-RADS score of 3) and 33 (4.9%) with suspicious lesions (PI-RADS score of ≥4). Only 10 of 383 men (2.6%) with a prior negative MRI result had a lesion with a PI-RADS score of 4 or greater. Among the 1500 rescreened men, 48 (3.2%) had a Gleason score of 3 + 4 or greater, including 19 (1.3%) with a score of 4 + 3 or greater and 11 (0.7%) with a score of 6. Conclusions and Relevance: In this secondary analysis of the STHLM3-MRI randomized clinical trial, cancer detection during the second screening round in biennial PSA and MRI-based prostate cancer screening was limited, and the detection of low-grade tumors remained low. A substantial proportion of men exhibited elevated PSA levels during rescreening, and a considerable portion of MRI scans performed lacked lesions suggestive of cancer. Future studies should explore strategies to reduce MRI-related resource use. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03377881.

SATB1, genomic instability and Gleason grading constitute a novel risk score for prostate cancer.

Current prostate cancer risk classifications rely on clinicopathological parameters resulting in uncertainties for prognostication. To improve individual risk stratification, we examined the predictive value of selected proteins with respect to tumor heterogeneity and genomic instability. We assessed the degree of genomic instability in 50 radical prostatectomy specimens by DNA-Image-Cytometry and evaluated protein expression in related 199 tissue-microarray (TMA) cores. Immunohistochemical data of SATB1, SPIN1, TPM4, VIME and TBB5 were correlated with the degree of genomic instability, established clinical risk factors and overall survival. Genomic instability was associated with a GS ≥ 7 (p = 0.001) and worse overall survival (p = 0.008). A positive SATB1 expression was associated with a GS ≤ 6 (p = 0.040), genomic stability (p = 0.027), and was a predictor for increased overall survival (p = 0.023). High expression of SPIN1 was also associated with longer overall survival (p = 0.048) and lower preoperative PSA-values (p = 0.047). The combination of SATB1 expression, genomic instability, and GS lead to a novel Prostate Cancer Prediction Score (PCP-Score) which outperforms the current D'Amico et al. stratification for predicting overall survival. Low SATB1 expression, genomic instability and GS ≥ 7 were identified as markers for poor prognosis. Their combination overcomes current clinical risk stratification regimes.

Expression of PDX-1 in prostate cancer, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and benign prostatic tissue.

Pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1), a Hox type transcription factor, is necessary for differentiation of exocrine and endocrine pancreas, and regulates insulin gene transcription. PDX-1 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray (TMA) of 289 primary prostate cancers (PCa) from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens with median follow-up of 48.9 months. We separately arrayed benign prostatic tissue, atrophy, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and PCa from 40 men and also 17 lymph node metastases. Intensity and extent of immunoreactivity and their product (IRp) were evaluated by two independent observers. PDX-1 was overexpressed in cancer vs benign tissue (p<0.001), but also in atrophy and HGPIN vs cancer (p<0.001 and p=0.022, respectively). PDX-1 expression did not correlate with biochemical recurrence, but decreased with higher Gleason pattern (p<0.001) and in metastases vs primary PCa (p<0.001). Weighted kappa for interobserver agreement of intensity, extent and IRp was 0.65, 0.13 and 0.54, respectively. Presence of PDX-1 protein in benign and malignant prostatic tissue was confirmed by Western blot. In view of recent attention to the role of insulin systems in men with PCa, this protein is of interest in the pathogenesis of PCa.

Quantitative assessment of the subepithelial collagen band does not increase the accuracy of diagnosis of collagenous colitis.

The thickness of eosinophilic band in collagenous colitis (CC) was assessed by 3 methods: histologic estimates (22 observers), conventional measurements using a calibrated micrometric scale (1 observer), and semiautomatic micrometric measurements (1 observer). By the histologic estimate technique, 7.4% of the results failed to diagnose CC; by calibrated micrometry, the failure was 6% and by semiautomatic micrometry, 6%. The main difficulty in measuring the thickness of the CC band is that the deeper border of the band appears fuzzy and hairy-irregular. CC should be defined not exclusively on the basis of the thickness of the collagen table, but as a microscopic constellation characterized by a distorted superficial cell arrangement, with areas of epithelial denudation and inflammatory cells in the superficial epithelium and the lamina propria. In agreement with Lazenby's statement: "Focusing solely on the collagen band can result in both over- and underdiagnosis"

Interobserver reproducibility of modified Gleason score in radical prostatectomy specimens.

The Gleason score (GS) of prostate cancer is calculated by adding primary and secondary Gleason grades with patterns occupying less than 5% of the tumour often not included despite their probable prognostic significance. A modified Gleason score (mGS) comprising primary and tertiary patterns of higher grade has been proposed, but its interobserver variability has yet to be elucidated. Slides from 69 consecutive prostatectomy specimens were circulated among four genitourinary pathologists. GS and mGS were assessed, and results were compared in pairs. Mean weighted kappa for GS and mGS were 0.56 (range 0.52-0.66) and 0.58 (range 0.49-0.74), respectively. The difference between GS and mGS was 0, 1 and 2 score units in 66%, 26% and 8%, respectively, mean 0.41 score units (range 0.24-0.51). The increment was greater for transition-zone tumours than for peripheral-zone tumours (0.63 and 0.35 score units, respectively, P=0.002). An odd mGS (5, 7 or 9) was more often given than an odd GS (77% and 62%, respectively, P<0.001). Disagreement between observers greater than 1 score unit was more common with mGS than GS (18% and 4%, respectively, P<0.001). In conclusion, overall mean weighted kappa for interobserver reproducibility of mGS is at least as high as that of GS. However, there is a clustering of mGS in odd scores, and severe disagreement is more commonly observed than with GS. Training of mGS assessment would possibly improve agreement. Tertiary Gleason patterns need to be better defined.

Heat shock proteins 27, 60 and 70 as prognostic markers of prostate cancer.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) protect cells against stress-associated injury and are overexpressed in several malignant tumors. We aimed to investigate their value as prognostic markers in prostate cancer. A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed of 289 prostate cancers from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens with median follow-up of 48.9 months. Slides were immunostained for HSP27, HSP60 and HSP70. Intensity and extent of immunoreactivity (IR) and their product (IRp) was evaluated by two observers. The IRp of HSP27 and HSP60, but not of HSP70, significantly predicted biochemical recurrence (p=0.014, 0.034 and 0.160, respectively). Recurrence-free survival in patients with strong HSP27 and HSP60 staining was shorter than in those with weak expression (p=0.019 and 0.001, respectively). IRp of HSP27 and HSP60 correlated with Gleason score (p<0.01). HSP60 was an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence in multivariate analysis, including extraprostatic extension, margin status, seminal vesicle invasion and Gleason score. Weighted kappa for interobserver agreement of HSP27, HSP60 and HSP70 IR was 0.613-0.823 for intensity and 0.584-0.719 for IRp, but only 0.036-0.244 for extent, raising the question whether staining extent should be estimated on TMA. We conclude that HSP27 and HSP60 are predictors of biochemical recurrence after RP.

Prediction of percent Gleason grade 4/5 by multiple core biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether percent Gleason grade 4/5 (i.e. the proportion of a tumor occupied by high-grade cancer) can be predicted by multiple needle biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 115 men, 8-14 (mean 10) biopsies were taken, including eight from standardized positions (apex, mid-medial, mid-lateral and base). Biopsies were reviewed and cancer lengths measured. All men underwent radical prostatectomy. The prostatectomy specimens were totally embedded and tumor volume measured planimetrically. Gleason scores and percent Gleason grade 4/5 were assessed for both biopsy and prostatectomy specimens. RESULTS: Percent Gleason grade 4/5 in prostatectomy specimens was predicted correctly in 34% of cases and within 10%, 20% and 30% in 55%, 64% and 73% of cases, respectively. Biopsies had a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for Gleason grade 4/5 of 62%, 87% and 69%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 93% and 45%, respectively. The weighted kappa value for agreement was slightly higher for Gleason score (0.685) than for percent Gleason grade 4/5 (0.573). The univariate correlation for percent Gleason grade 4/5 in biopsies and the main tumor was r=0.62, r(2)=0.39 (p<0.001). In univariate logistic regression, percent Gleason grade 4/5 on biopsies predicted the presence of any Gleason grade 4/5 cancer in the main tumor (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Gleason grade 4/5 in prostatectomy specimens correlates with findings in preoperative biopsies. Whether this measure will be used in routine practice remains to be seen.

Interobserver reproducibility of percent Gleason grade 4/5 in prostate biopsies.

PURPOSE: Percent Gleason grade 4/5 (GG4/5) has been proposed as a predictor of prognosis in prostate cancer and it has been shown to add prognostic information to that given by Gleason score (GS). We recently noted that the interobserver reproducibility of percent GG4/5 in total prostatectomy specimens is at least as good as that of the GS. However, to our knowledge the reproducibility of percent GG4/5 in needle biopsies has not yet been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of needle biopsies from 69 men with prostate cancer was reviewed. Biopsies were taken according to a standardized octant protocol. All 279 slides containing cancer were circulated among 4 genitourinary pathologists, who assessed GS and percent GG4/5. Results were compared pairwise and weighted kappa was calculated. RESULTS: The 4 observers had a mean weighted kappa for GS and percent GG4/5 of 0.48 to 0.55 (overall mean 0.51) and 0.52 to 0.68 (overall mean 0.60), respectively. There was less disagreement in percent GG4/5 when a single biopsy was positive for cancer than when 6 or more biopsies were positive. The number of positive biopsies showed a stronger correlation with a discrepancy in percent GG4/5 than cancer length. Disagreement was worse when cribriform or fusion patterns were present. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver reproducibility of percent GG4/5 on prostate biopsies is at least as good as that of GS. Hence, concern about interobserver variability should not deter pathologists from using percent GG4/5. Grading appears to be most difficult when cancer is present in multiple biopsies or it contains cribriform or fusion patterns.

Interobserver reproducibility of percent Gleason grade 4/5 in total prostatectomy specimens.

PURPOSE: Recently the percent Gleason grade 4/5 was proposed as a predictor of the outcome of prostate cancer and it has been shown that it adds prognostic information to that given by Gleason score. To our knowledge the interobserver variability of percent Gleason grade 4/5 has not yet been investigated. We assessed the percent Gleason grade 4/5, including the identification of high grade patterns and estimation of the percent tumor area, which is potentially more difficult than conventional Gleason grading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 69 total prostatectomy specimens was reviewed. A single slide per specimen was circulated among 4 genitourinary pathologists, who assessed Gleason score and the percent Gleason grade 4/5. Results were compared pairwise and a weighted kappa was calculated for Gleason score and the percent Gleason grade 4/5. RESULTS: The 4 observers had a mean weighted kappa for Gleason score and the percent Gleason grade 4/5 of 0.52 to 0.66 (overall mean 0.56) and 0.58 to 0.72 (overall mean 0.66), respectively. The best agreement for percent Gleason grade 4/5 was in 2 pathologists at the same department (weighted kappa 0.86). Transition zone tumors had a lower weighted kappa for Gleason score but a higher weighted kappa for percent Gleason grade 4/5 than peripheral zone tumors. In cases of the greatest disagreement in the percent Gleason grade 4/5 crush artifact, cribriform cancer and high grade PIN within the tumor were significantly more common. An intraobserver reproducibility of weighted kappa 0.91 was achieved for Gleason score and the percent Gleason grade 4/5. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver reproducibility of the percent Gleason grade 4/5 is substantial and at least as good as that of the Gleason score. Hence, concern about interobserver variability should not deter pathologists from using the percent Gleason grade 4/5 as a prognostic marker for prostate cancer.