Determination of gelatinase A using a modified indirect hemagglutination assay in human prostate cancer screening and assessment of its correlation with prostate-specific antigen parameters.

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy affecting men and is a major cause of cancer death. There are increasing data on novel tumor markers, such as gelatinase A, which play a key role in tissue invasion and metastasis.

Objectives: We designed a study to evaluate total gelatinase A content using a simple and applicable Indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test in harmony with gelatinase A activity in serum samples as compared with prostate-specifc antigen (PSA) parameters.

Methods: In this study, we analysed the circulating form of gelatinase A (MMP-2) in patients suffering from either benign prostate hyperplasia (n=54) or prostate cancer (n=26) versus normal individuals as control (n=26). The gelatinolytic activity was determined by zymography and total MMP-2 content was measured by a novel IHA method. Total PSA and free PSA were quantified using a standard ELISA technique.

Results: Correlation of densitometric analysis of gelatinase A activity and IHA titer is significant at the 0.01 level (P<0.01, rho=0.916). Correlation of PSA and IHA titer is significant at the 0.01 level (P<0.01, rho=0.746). Correlation of free PSA and IHA titer is significant at the 0.01 level (P<0.01, rho=0.749). Borderline of IHA titer in patients with prostate cancer was 512+/-1 tube titer, in benign prostate hyperplasia patients was 128+/-1 tube titer and the titer in normal individuals was 8+/-1 tube titer.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that assessment of gelatinase A might be a promising procedure for monitoring and screening patients with prostate cancer.