Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in men characterized by an enlarged prostate gland and urinary urgency and frequency. However, recent studies suggest that men with more severe symptoms of BPH have higher tissue levels of a molecular marker, JM-27 protein. These men often develop damaging changes in the bladder. Now research reports that there are two forms of BPH, with the more severe form leading to bladder and other urinary tract damage. Early diagnosis and treatment of the severe form could help prevent this damage.
The study, published in the Journal of Urology, investigated if a test detecting JM-27 could differentiate between the two different forms of BPH. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University obtained tissue and blood samples from 29 men with asymptomatic BPH, 39 men with symptomatic BPH and 17 men with prostate cancer. The samples were tested for JM-27 protein levels.
The researchers found a significant difference in the JM-27 protein levels between the three groups. Findings revealed that JM-27 tissue levels were raised and JM-27 blood levels were lowered in the symptomatic group, compared to the asymptomatic group. The presence of prostate cancer did not alter JM-27 levels. These results suggest that tissue levels of the JM-27 marker can help differentiate between the two forms of BPH.
"The present study is believed to represent the first characterization of a serum based marker for severe benign prostatic hyperplasia," the study authors conclude.
REFERENCES:
1. Cannon GW et al. A preliminary study of JM-27: a serum marker that can specifically identify men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2007 Feb;177(2):610-4; discussion 614.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on March 12, 2007 12:30 PM
