Abbott introduced four prostate cancer tests in the United States for its Architect family of analyzers and its AxSYM automated immunoassay instrument system: Architect Free PSA, Architect PSA, AxSYM Free PSA and AxSYM Total PSA. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein normally found in the blood at very low levels. Total PSA tests assess the over all amount of PSA in the blood while Free PSA tests identify a form of PSA that is not bound to other proteins. Used in combination with other testing procedures, PSA levels can help doctors evaluate a patient's prostate health and can be used to differentiate between prostate cancer and other benign prostate diseases.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Additionally, prostate cancer often does not produce noticeable symptoms during the early stages of the disease. PSA testing, combined with a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), can help determine cancer risk and identify the need for further testing.
"By monitoring PSA levels, doctors can establish baseline information for patients. This result, in combination with regular examinations and evaluation of other risk factors, can lead to the diagnosis of cancer in earlier, curable stages," said E David Crawford, MD, professor of surgery, professor of radiation oncology and head of the Section of Urologic Oncology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado.
Equimolar immunoassays, the Architect and AxSYM Total PSA tests equally measure concentrations of free PSA and complexed PSA. The Architect and AxSYM Free PSA tests are used in conjunction with the Total PSA assays to calculate the percentage of free PSA in the blood. This percent-free PSA result is used as an aid in discriminating between prostate cancer and benign disease.
"In cancer management, consistency in test results is an important part of patient care as test results affect physicians' clinical treatment decisions," said William E. Brown, Ph.D., vice president, Diagnostic Assays and Systems Development, Abbott. "All four PSA assays are sensitive and specific, standardized and offer excellent lot-to-lot consistency for increased confidence in results. This is particularly important in prostate cancer patients who are being monitored to assess the effectiveness of their treatment."
Abbott has a strong history in cancer diagnostics. In 1991, Abbott developed the first automated PSA test for use on the IMx System and has continued to expand cancer test menus across its diagnostic analyzers. Additionally, Abbott's innovative genomic tests include Vysis UroVysion, for monitoring for the recurrence of bladder cancer, and PathVysion, for detecting amplification of the HER-2 gene to aid in determining whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for Herceptin (trastuzumab) therapy for breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer will account for almost 30,000 deaths this year. Symptoms that may indicate the presence of prostate cancer include blood in the urine, difficulty with urination, the need to urinate more often, incontinence, pelvic discomfort or persistent back, hip and spine pain.
Meeting the laboratory's need for increased automation and productivity, the Architect family of analyzers provide immunoassay testing options with the i2000, i4000, i6000, i8000 and i2000SR systems, chemistry testing with the c8000 system and also integrated immunoassay and clinical chemistry testing with the ci8200 system. The Architect Free and Total PSA tests are available for use on Abbott's Architect "i" systems, the i2000SR and the ci8200.
The AxSYM immunoassay system can process up to 80 to 120 tests per hour. Test menus include assays for abused drugs, cancer, cardiac, endocrinology, fertility, hepatitis, infectious disease, metabolic/renal, therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicology.