Liquid Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Current Status and Emerging Prospects

• Published in: The World Journal of Men's Health
• Main Authors: Yutong Liu, Koji Hatano, Norio Nonomura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology 2025-01-01
• Subjects: biomarkers; diagnosis; liquid biopsy; prostate-specific antigen; prostatic neoplasms

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major health concern that necessitates appropriate diagnostic approaches for timely intervention. This review critically evaluates the role of liquid biopsy techniques, focusing on blood- and urine-based biomarkers, in overcoming the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods. The 4Kscore test and Prostate Health Index have demonstrated efficacy in distinguishing PCa from benign conditions. Urinary biomarker tests such as PCa antigen 3, MyProstateScore, SelectMDx, and ExoDx Prostate IntelliScore test have revolutionized risk stratification and minimized unnecessary biopsies. Emerging biomarkers, including non-coding RNAs, circulating tumor DNA, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) glycosylation, offer valuable insights into PCa biology, enabling personalized treatment strategies. Advancements in non-invasive liquid biomarkers for PCa diagnosis may facilitate the stratification of patients and avoid unnecessary biopsies, particularly when PSA is in the gray area of 4 to 10 ng/mL.