Predicting the diagnosis of prostate cancer with a scoring system based on novel biomarkers

OBJECTIVE: To predict prostate cancer using novel biomarker ratios and create a predictive scoring system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of a total of 703 patients who consulted Urology Department of Selayang Hospital between January 2013 and December 2017 and underwent prostate biopsy were screened retrospectively. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostate volumes (PV), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) and histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS: Ages ranged from 43 to 89 years, divided into 2 groups as per biopsy results; positive for prostate cancer (n = 290, 41.3%) and negative for malignancy (n = 413; 58.7%). Intergroup comparative evaluations were performed. Independent variables with p < 0.001 in the univariate analysis were age, DRE, PV, NLR, PSAD. A scoring system was modelled using NLR < 0.9, PSAD > 0.4, Age > 70 and DRE. A score of 2 or more predicted prostate cancer with a Sensitivity of 83.8% and Specificity of 86.4%. CONCLUSIONS: NLR is shown to be good predictor for prostate cancer its usage in this scoring system affords more disease specificity as compared to PSA alone.