The Diagnostic Value of Ischemia-Modified Albumin in Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels have a diagnostic value in prostate cancer (Pca). Methods: Thirty primary Pca patients and 30 age-matched healthy male subjects were included in this prospective case-control study. The patients were selected from the urology clinic of a tertiary university hospital. Healthy men included in the control group were selected from hospital staff and patient relatives. Patients with severe chronic diseases and other malignancies were excluded. Serum IMA level was measured using the colorimetric method. The results were reported in absorbance unit (ABSU). Results: Serum IMA levels were significantly higher in the study group when compared to the control group (0.843 +/- 0.76 and 0.443 +/- 0.49 ABSU, respectively; p=0.002). The mean IMA value in patients with a Gleason score >= 7 (1.08 +/- 0.053 ABSU) was significantly higher than in patients with Gleason score <= 6 (IMA 0.418 +/- 0.64 ABSU). According to the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, when the cut-off value was ABSU=0.57, the sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 56.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum concentrations of IMA are significantly elevated especially in clinically significant Pca patients. Its high sensitivity (80%) in ROC analysis suggests that IMA can be used an ancillary biomarker in diagnosis.