The value of γ-seminoprotein in combination with prostate specific antigen in detecting prostate cancer

Background: The present study was undertaken to investigate the value of gamma-seminoprotein (γ-Sm) and the γ-Sm/prostate specific antigen (PSA) ratio in combination with serum PSA detecting prostate cancer. Methods: Prostate specific antigen, γ-Sm and the γ-Sm/PSA ratio were evaluated in 112 patients with untreated prostate cancer and 90 patients without prostate cancer who had serum PSA and γ-Sm levels above their respective detection limits. Results: When data for all of the patients were analyzed serum PSA and γ-Sm levels were significantly higher and the γ-Sm/PSA ratio was significantly lower in patients with prostate cancer than patients without prostate cancer. The serum PSA and γ-Sm levels significantly increased and the γ-Sm/PSA ratio significantly decreased with advancing clinical stage in patients with prostate cancer. Among the patients with serum PSA levels ranging from 1.8 to 6 ng/mL, the γ-Sm/PSA ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) and γ-Sm levels were lower (P = 0.054) in the patients with prostate cancer than in those without prostate cancer, but serum PSA levels were not significantly different (P = 0.53). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the areas under the ROC curves were 0.54 for PSA, 0.65 for γ-Sm and 0.69 for the γ-Sm/PSA ratio for prediction of prostate cancer in the PSA range from 1.8 to 6 ng/mL, although the ROC analysis suggested that the γ-Sm/PSA ratio does not provide significant advantage over PSA in detecting prostate cancer when all of the patients were analyzed. Conclusions: These results suggest that the γ-Sm/PSA ratio and γ-Sm may facilitate differentiation between patients with and without prostate cancer who have intermediate PSA levels.