Ovarian Cancer surgical consideration is markedly improved by the neural network powered-MIA3G multivariate index assay.

Background: Surgery remains the main treatment option for an adnexal mass suspicious of ovarian cancer. The malignancy rate is, however, only 10-15% in women undergoing surgery. This results in a high number of unnecessary surgeries.

Neural network-derived multivariate index assay demonstrates effective clinical performance in longitudinal monitoring of ovarian cancer risk.

Objective: We recently characterized the clinical performance of a multivariate index assay (MIA3G) to assess ovarian cancer risk for adnexal masses at initial presentation. This study evaluated how MIA3G varies when applied longitudinally to monitor risk during clinical follow-up.

Method: The study evaluated women presenting with adnexal masses from eleven centers across the US.

A reflex testing protocol using two multivariate index assays improves the risk assessment for ovarian cancer in patients with an adnexal mass.

Objectives: Patients with adnexal masses suspicious for malignancy benefit from referral to oncology specialists during presurgical assessment of the mass. OVA1 is a multivariate assay using a five-biomarker panel which offers high overall and early-stage sensitivity. However, OVA1 has a high false-positive rate for benign masses.

Validation of a deep neural network-based algorithm supporting clinical management of adnexal mass.

Background: Conservative management of adnexal mass is warranted when there is imaging-based and clinical evidence of benign characteristics. Malignancy risk is, however, a concern due to the mortality rate of ovarian cancer. Malignancy occurs in 10-15% of adnexal masses that go to surgery, whereas the rate of malignancy is much lower in masses clinically characterized as benign or indeterminate.

Survey of canine use and safety of isoxazoline parasiticides.

A veterinarian and pet owner survey (Project Jake) examined the use and safety of isoxazoline parasiticides given to dogs. Data were received during August 1-31, 2018 from a total of 2,751 survey responses. Forty-two percent (1,157) reported no flea treatment or adverse events (AE), while 58% (1594) had been treated with some parasiticide for flea control, and of those that received a parasiticide, the majority, or 83% (1,325), received an isooxazoline.

Adnexal mass risk assessment: a multivariate index assay for malignancy risk stratification.

Adnexal mass risk assessment (AMRA) stratifies patients with adnexal masses, identifying the relatively small number of malignancies from benigns which might take a 'watchful waiting' approach. AMRA uses seven biomarkers and derived from women with adnexal masses scheduled for surgery. Estimated clinical performance was calculated using fixed prevalence.

Ethnic disparity in clinical performance between multivariate index assay and CA125 in detection of ovarian malignancy.

Based on evidence that African-American (AA) women have lower CA125 values than Caucasian (C) women, we investigated this to see if this disparity would have an impact on ovarian cancer detection using CA125 and multivariate index assay (MIA). Serum from two prospective trials of 1029 (274 malignancies [250 C/24AA]) were analyzed for CA125 and MIA results. Clinical performance was calculated.

Multivariate Index Assay Is Superior to CA125 and HE4 Testing in Detection of Ovarian Malignancy in African-American Women.

Objective: To review and analyze the serum values of risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) and multivariate index assay (MIA) in subgroups of women who underwent surgery for adnexal masses to determine sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of malignancy in different ethnic populations.

Methods: Serum samples from 2 prospective trials of 1029 women in which 274 women diagnosed with malignancy were analyzed for ROMA scores and MIA results. Biomarker data were obtained from the previous prospective studies that validated the MIA test.

Detection and Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients With Metastatic Thyroid Cancer.

Context: Individual patient prognostication for advanced thyroid cancer (TC) is challenging. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been shown to be a valuable prognostic marker for other solid cancers.

Objective: We hypothesized that CTCs are present in the blood of patients with advanced TC and their number can predict overall survival (OS).

Predicting Prostate Biopsy Results Using a Panel of Plasma and Urine Biomarkers Combined in a Scoring System.

Background: Determining the need for prostate biopsy is frequently difficult and more objective criteria are needed to predict the presence of high grade prostate cancer (PCa). To reduce the rate of unnecessary biopsies, we explored the potential of using biomarkers in urine and plasma to develop a scoring system to predict prostate biopsy results and the presence of high grade PCa.

Methods: Urine and plasma specimens were collected from 319 patients recommended for prostate biopsies.

CA11-19: a tumor marker for the detection of colorectal cancer.

Background And Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Blood tests using tumor-related antigens aid in diagnosing CRC. However, higher sensitivity and specificity are needed before an acceptable tumor antigen blood test for CRC is clinically useful.

Diagnostic and prognostic scoring system for prostate cancer using urine and plasma biomarkers.

Aims: To avoid relying solely on serum prostate-specific antigen (sPSA) in screening for prostate cancer (PCa), we developed a scoring system for detecting PCa and the prediction of aggressiveness. We analyzed urine and plasma specimens from 121 patients with PCa or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for the levels of UAP1, PDLIM5, IMPDH2, HSPD1, PCA3, PSA, TMPRSS2, ERG, GAPDH, and B2M genes. Patient age, sPSA level, and polymerase chain reaction data were entered through multiple algorithms to determine models most useful for the detection of cancer and predicting aggressiveness.

A 2-stage ovarian cancer screening strategy using the Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA) identifies early-stage incident cancers and demonstrates high positive predictive value.

Background: A 2-stage ovarian cancer screening strategy was evaluated that incorporates change of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) levels over time and age to estimate risk of ovarian cancer. Women with high-risk scores were referred for transvaginal ultrasound (TVS).

Methods: A single-arm, prospective study of postmenopausal women was conducted.

High serum thymidine kinase 1 level predicts poorer survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Serum thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) levels have been reported to have prognostic significance in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Until recently, serum TK1 levels were assessed using inconvenient radioenzyme assays. In this study, we used a novel chemiluminescence assay to assess serum TK1 levels in patients with CLL at the time of first examination.

National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for use of tumor markers in liver, bladder, cervical, and gastric cancers.

Background: Updated National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for the use of tumor markers in the clinic have been developed.

Methods: Published reports relevant to use of tumor markers for 4 cancer sites--liver, bladder, cervical, and gastric--were critically reviewed.

Results: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) may be used in conjunction with abdominal ultrasound for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B or C virus infection.

Circulating tumor cells and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for outcome prediction in metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) are two new promising tools for therapeutic monitoring. In this study, we compared the prognostic value of CTC and FDG-PET/CT monitoring during systemic therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analyses of 115 MBC patients who started a new line of therapy and who had CTC counts and FDG-PET/CT scans performed at baseline and at 9 to 12 weeks during therapy (midtherapy) was performed.

Circulating tumor cells in metastatic breast cancer: from prognostic stratification to modification of the staging system?

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the prognostic value of baseline circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a large cohort of patients with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 185 patients with newly diagnosed MBC evaluated between 2001 and 2007. CTCs were isolated and enumerated before patients started first-line treatment using the CellSearch system.

Validation of reverse phase protein array for practical screening of potential biomarkers in serum and plasma: accurate detection of CA19-9 levels in pancreatic cancer.

The current study analyzed reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) as a means to experimentally validate biomarkers in blood samples. One microliter samples of sera (n = 71), and plasma (n = 78) were serially diluted and printed on NC-coated slides. CA19-9 levels from RPPA results were compared with identical patient samples as measured by ELISA.

Circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood samples from patients with increased serum prostate specific antigen: initial results in early prostate cancer.

Purpose: We evaluated the hypothesis that circulating tumor cells as determined using the CellSearch System would correlate with tumor volume, pathological stage and Gleason score in men with localized prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Samples of blood (30 ml) were drawn from 97 men with localized prostate cancer before radical prostatectomy, on postoperative days 2 to 3 and at 6 weeks. A control group consisted of 25 men with an increased prostate specific antigen and no tumor detected on extended prostate biopsy.

PCA3 molecular urine assay correlates with prostate cancer tumor volume: implication in selecting candidates for active surveillance.

Purpose: Prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) has shown promise as a molecular marker in prostate cancer detection. We assessed the association of urinary PCA3 score with prostatectomy tumor volume and other clinical and pathological features.

Materials And Methods: Urine specimens were collected after digital rectal examination from 59 men scheduled for prostate biopsy and 83 men scheduled for radical prostatectomy.

A multicenter evaluation of the Iris iQ200 automated urine microscopy analyzer body fluids module and comparison with hemacytometer cell counts.

Manual hemacytometer cell counting of body fluids is labor-intensive and requires skilled testing personnel. We performed a multicenter evaluation of the Iris iQ200 automated microscopy analyzer Body Fluids Module (Iris Diagnostics, Chatsworth, CA) and compared 350 iQ200 body fluid cell counts with manual hemacytometer cell counts. Within-run imprecision, expressed as coefficient of variation (CV), ranged from 2.

American Society of Clinical Oncology 2007 update of recommendations for the use of tumor markers in breast cancer.

Purpose: To update the recommendations for the use of tumor marker tests in the prevention, screening, treatment, and surveillance of breast cancer.

Methods: For the 2007 update, an Update Committee composed of members from the full Panel was formed to complete the review and analysis of data published since 1999. Computerized literature searches of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library were performed.

Is there a role for serum human tissue kallikrein in detection of prostate cancer?

Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of a serum human tissue kallikrein 11 (hK11) assay to predict the presence of prostate cancer in a screened population of men with a total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level between 2.5 and 10.0 ng/mL.