pic, inactive cancers that pose no threat. "By using this test to zero in on men in a certain group most likely to have active cancer, there is the potential to cut the cost of prostate screening dramatically," says Partin. "We also spare those men the possible complications of biopsies, such as infection, bleeding and fever."

The test also can help determine the need for repeat biopsies. For example, if a man's first biopsy is negative, but his father and brothers have prostate cancer and his %FPSA value is 25 or less, he still might be advised to undergo a second biopsy. "About 20 percent of cancers are missed on the first biopsy, so having a %FPSA measurement test will help us decide if a second biopsy is necessary," he said.

In the study, the test for %FPSA was tried on blood samples from 773 men, ages 50 to 75, who had normal results on digital rectal exam and had received no treatment for prostate disease. Because all had a previous record of PSA levels between four and 10, all had been biopsied. A total of 379 were found by the test to have prostate cancer, while 394 men did not.

Other authors of the study include Patrick C. Walsh and Eric N. P. Subong (Johns Hopkins); Kevin M. Slawin and Peter T. Scardino (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas); Michael K. Brawer and Paul H. Lange (University of Seattle, Wash.); Robert C. Flanigan (Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Ill.); Anup Patel and Jean B. DeKernion (University of California, Los Angeles); Jerome P. Richie (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston); and Robert E. Parson, Gail H. Gasior, Kathleen G. Loveland and Paula C. Southwick (Hybritech).

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions' news releases are available on a PRE-EMBARGOED basis on EurekAlert at http://www.eurekalert.org and from the Office of Communications and Public Affairs' direct e-mail news release service. To enroll, call 410-955-4255 or send e-mail to '"/>

Contact: Marc Kusinitz
mkusinit@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
(410)955-8665
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
20-May-1998

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