A study looking at a new test that may be able to diagnose prostate cancer by measuring a substance called citrate

Please note this trial is no longer recruiting patients.

This study is looking at testing semen to detect cancer. It is open to men who are going to have a prostate biopsy or examination at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

If your doctor thinks you may have prostate cancer, you will have some tests. These include a prostate biopsy and measuring the level of a protein called ‘prostate specific antigen’ (the PSA test) in your blood.

Researchers have developed a new test for prostate cancer. If it is successful, they hope that in future doctors could use it not only to diagnose prostate cancer quickly, but also to monitor its growth. It could perhaps replace the prostate biopsy in some men.

This test looks at levels of a substance called ‘citrate’ in semen. Citrate is formed as part of normal body processes. These alter as cancers grow, changing citrate levels in prostate cells. Scientists measure citrate levels using light energy. The aims of this study are to see

How well this test works to find prostate cancer
What men having this test thought of the procedure

You will not have any direct benefit from taking part in this study, and it is unlikely to change your treatment plan in any way. But the results of the study will be used to help people with cancer in the future.

Recruitment

Start 01/05/2011

End 01/06/2011

Phase

Pilot

Who can enter

You can enter this study if you are under the care of the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, and are due to have a sample of cells removed from your prostate to test for cancer (a prostate biopsy).

Trial design

This pilot study will recruit 30 men. If results are promising, researchers will recruit more men to take part in a larger study to test these findings.

You will have the study test when you come to hospital for your prostate biopsy. Your prostate biopsy will have already been arranged, and is not part of the study. The study team will also ask you to provide a sample of semen.

The team will record your PSA reading and the result from your prostate biopsy. All information the study team collect about you will be kept strictly confidential.