Although a splicing variant of prostate specific antigen (PSA-v) mRNA has been described previously, whether its protein (PSA-v or PSA-related protein 1, i.e., PSA-RP1) is actually expressed in human prostate cells remains elusive. We report that PSA-v protein is expressed in prostatic epithelia of both cancerous and benign tissues. Also, secreted PSA-v can be detected in the medium of a prosta...

One potential target of vaccine therapy for human prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). One strategy to enhance the immunogenicity of a self-antigen such as PSA is to develop agonist epitopes that are potentially more immunogenic. The studies described here report the design and analysis of an agonist epitope designated PSA-3A ("A" for agonist) of the PSA-3 CTL epitope. Studie...

OBJECTIVE To estimate rates of suicidal behaviors and treated depression in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in comparison to non-PsA patients. METHODS Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, we conducted a cohort study of patients with PsA compared to non-PsA patients. Patients with codes for suicidal behaviors (ideation, attempts, and suicide) and treated depression (diagnosis...

We report here that immunization of human PBMC reconstituted SCID mice (hu-PBL-SCID mice) with in vitro cultured autologous dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with prostate specific antigen (PSA) complexed to a PSA-specific mouse IgG2a (PSA-IgG2a) consistently and reproducibly stimulates PSA-specific human IgG production. On day 0, female PBMC were used to reconstitute SCID mice and to generate DC in ...

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is the most common tumor in men. The most commonly used diagnostic and tumor recurrence marker is Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). After surgical removal or radiation treatment, PSA levels drop (PSA nadir) and subsequent elevated or increased PSA levels are indicative of recurrent disease (PSA recurrence). For clinical follow-up and local care PSA nadir and recurrence...

BACKGROUND Estimates of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) prevalence among psoriasis patients vary widely (5-40%). The time to development of PsA in patients with plaque psoriasis also remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To examine whether length of time since diagnosis of psoriasis affects risk of developing PsA, and to assess differences in quality of life (QoL), work-related issues, comorbidities and heal...

PURPOSE The management of mildly elevated (4.0-10.0 ng/ml) prostate specific antigen (PSA) is uncertain. Immediate prostate biopsy, antibiotic treatment, or monitoring PSA level for 1-3 months is still in controversy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed the effect of empiric antibiotics on an increased PSA in a mono-institutional study. We analysed the data of 100 patients with ...

BACKGROUND A major portion of prostate-specific antigen exists in circulation as a complex with alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (PSA-ACT), whereas a minor part is free (fPSA). The proportion of PSA-ACT is increased in prostate cancer (PCa), but immunologic determination of PSA-ACT is hampered by a background produced by nonspecific adsorption of ACT to the solid phase. To reduce the nonspecific inter...

BACKGROUND In a recent multicenter study, percent free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) enhanced the specificity of PSA testing in prostate cancer screening. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the percent free PSA could be as effective in reducing the need for biopsy in a managed care setting as in an academic setting. SETTING Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region (Portland, Oregon) and Kaiser Perm...