"PSA test determines prostate cancer survival rate"

Early diagnosis is the key to remission

The number of patients has increased rapidly due to the aging society…surpassed 20,000 individuals in 2022

A risk group can be identified through prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing…improvement in societal cost is expected

There is a growing need to introduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

 

On September 16, the Korean Urological Oncology Society held a press conference at the Press Center, highlighting current updates on prostate cancer and emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis through PSA testing.

 

Professor Byong Chang Jeong, President of the Korean Urological Oncology Society (Samsung Medical Center

According to the National Cancer Registration Program's announcement last year, there were 20,754 new prostate cancer patients in 2022, accounting for 7.4% of all cancer cases.

 

In particular, the incidence of prostate cancer in individuals aged 65 and over reached 416.1 per 100,000 people, and this burden is expected to grow as Korea approaches a super-aged society.

 

Professor Byong Chang Jeong, President of the Korean Urological Oncology Society (Samsung Medical Center's Department of Urology), said, "The Society has designated the third week of September as 'Prostate Cancer Awareness Week' and has been conducting various campaigns to spread correct awareness of prostate cancer and establish early screening as a part of daily life." Professor Jeong stressed, "We are raising awareness about the importance of early diagnosis, such as with PSA testing." A variety of treatments for prostate cancer have been introduced, leading to improvements in patient survival rates.

 

Androgen receptor inhibitors, such as Janssen's Zytiga, Erleada, and Akeega, Astellas' Xtandi, and Bayer's Nubeqa, are being used.

 

Recently, radiopharmaceuticals have also emerged.

 

Novartis' Pluvicto received domestic approval in Korea last May and is now available for the treatment of adult patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have previously received an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and a taxane-based chemotherapy.

 

PSMA is a proteolytic enzyme synthesized in the epithelial cells of the prostate.

 

Its expression is typically high in high-grade, metastatic, and castration-resistant prostate cancer.

 

Compounds that combine a ligand binding to PSMA with a radioisotope that emits relatively low energy (Gallium-68) are used for PET/CT diagnosis.

 

In contrast, compounds combined with a high-energy emitting radioisotope (Lutetium-177) can be used as a treatment.

 

Additionally, several Korean biopharmaceutical companies, including FutureChem and Celltrion, are also developing radiopharmaceuticals for prostate cancer.

 

Professor Park Sung-woo, Vice President of the Korean Urological Oncology Society (Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital

Professor Park Sung-woo, Vice President of the Korean Urological Oncology Society (Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital's Department of Urology), assessed, "When prostate cancer is detected early, the treatment outcomes are so good that it is often curable.

 

However, if it metastasizes, the treatment outcomes rapidly worsen." He stated, "Early diagnosis is a key variable that determines a patient's survival rate and quality of life." Park added, "Various treatments have been included in the reimbursement list, contributing to improved survival rates.

 

However, the speed of listing is slow compared to the pace of new drug launches.

 

If new drugs that emerge in the future are quickly covered by reimbursement, it will help improve the survival rates of prostate cancer patients." PSA testing plays critical role in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer Prostate cancer, like other cancer types, often has few early symptoms, making it difficult for patients to be aware of the disease and leading to delayed diagnoses.

 

Because of this, PSA testing plays a critical role in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

 

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate, and its levels increase when cancer cells multiply.

 

The PSA test, a simple blood test, has a low patient burden and high accessibility.

 

If included in regular health check-ups, it could significantly enhance the effectiveness of prostate cancer management.

 

Professor Young Hwii Ko, Editor-in-Chief of the Korean Urological Oncology Society (Ewha Womans University Medical Center

Based on PSA levels, Gleason score, and stage, prostate cancer is classified into risk groups: ▲low-risk (PSA ≤10, Gleason score ≤6, stage T1-T2a) ▲intermediate-risk (PSA >10 to ≤20, Gleason score 7, stage T2b) ▲high-risk (PSA >20, Gleason score 8-10, stage T2c or higher).

 

Since the treatment strategy varies depending on the stage, PSA testing has the advantage of quickly identifying which risk group a patient belongs to, going beyond just early diagnosis.

 

Professor Young Hwii Ko, Editor-in-Chief of the Korean Urological Oncology Society (Ewha Womans University Medical Center's Department of Urology), said, "The treatment outcomes and survival rates for prostate cancer are dramatically different depending on whether it's diagnosed early." He added, "The PSA test is both simple and highly accurate.

 

If the PSA test were included in the NIP, it could help increase patient survival rates and reduce socioeconomic costs."