deCODE ProstateCancer™
A novel test detecting the most comprehensive set of validated genetic risk factors for prostate cancer. The test identifies 6% of men of European descent who are at more than double the average lifetime risk, 12% of African-American men who have between 1.5 fold and threefold increased risk, and 7% of East Asian men who have between two to eightfold increased risk. Test results, along with other risk factors, can help to inform and optimize screening and early detection.
Screening and prevention
How deCODE ProstateCancer™ can help.
Genetic risk and screening
The American Urology Association (AUA) recommends that men 40 and over should be offered baseline assessment for risk of prostate cancer. deCODE ProstateCancer™ is a one time test that measures genetic risk of prostate cancer and can thereby help to establish an individual’s baseline risk. This brings genetic risk into the discussion between men and their physicians regarding whether, when and how frequently to screen for prostate cancer going forward.
Informing the decision to biopsy
Having the most complete picture of individual risk is fundamental to making an informed decision whether to proceed to biopsy. deCODE ProstateCancer™ provides novel information that, together with other risk factors, clinical examination and PSA scores, contributes to a comprehensive risk profile with which to consider the options.
The risk conferred by the deCODE ProstateCancer™ markers has been validated and statistically confirmed by multiple scientific studies involving tens of thousands of patients and general population controls
deCODE ProstateCancer™ analyzes 27 genetic markers that have been associated with risk of prostate cancer in published, peer-reviewed studies involving tens of thousands of European descent patients and control subjects from multiple populations. The risk conferred by each marker compared to that of the general population has been separately derived, replicated and validated. (1-52) For the 8q marker, for example, the risk calculations are based on over 10,000 prostate cancer patients and 40,000 controls. For African-Americans and East Asians the risk association studies have also involved thousands of patients and controls (3,11,14,50-52).
deCODE ProstateCancer™ results are valid only for the assessment of the specified risk markers for prostate cancer tested. The overall result is calculated by multiplying together the risk conferred by each of the tested markers; the risk is expressed, for each marker and for the test as a whole, as a multiple of decrease/increase in risk compared to that of the general population. The validity of multiplying together the risk conferred by the different markers is based upon the fact that neither deCODE nor other researchers have been able to observe any significant interaction or overlap in impact between the markers (3,4).
Other risk factors, including family history, as relevant as before
The deCODE ProstateCancer™ test does not measure all of the genetic factors contributing to the risk of developing prostate cancer, many of which are unknown. Independent of the test results, other risk factors, such as family history or ethnicity, are as relevant in their contribution to the overall risk.
deCODE ProstateCancer™ is a risk test – not a determinative test
deCODE ProstateCancer™ is only a risk test, not a determinative Mendelian genetic test. Therefore, results indicating high risk do not mean that the patient will necessarily develop prostate cancer, and results indicating low risk result do not mean that the patient has no risk of developing prostate cancer.
The diagnosis or confirmation of prostate cancer cannot be made by the deCODE ProstateCancer™ test. Diagnosis of prostate cancer is based on physical examination, ultrasound detection, and biopsy.
The deCODE ProstateCancer™ test is perfomed using the Illumina I-select BeadChip method. This highly reliable method has greater than 99.9% accuracy and is based on a proprietary Illumina technology using DNA amplification, hybridization and fluorescent detection.
This content was last reviewed on April 08, 2011.