Serum metabolomics can predict the outcome of first systematic transrectal prostate biopsy in patients with PSA <10 ng/ml

Aim: To assess the predictive value of metabolomic analysis for the presence of prostate cancer (PCA) at first systematic biopsy. Patients & methods: Ninety serum samples from patients with suspicion for PCA were included. Targeted and nontargeted metabolomic analysis was performed. Results: Six metabolites were combined into a predictive score. A cutoff value of 0.528 for the metabolomic score showed a good accuracy for the prediction of PCA at biopsy (Area under the curve (AUC): 0.779; p < 0.001). These results were validated in a subgroup of patients, showing similar accuracy (p = 0.1). For patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) less than 10 ng/ml, the score showed a Se 80.95%, Sp 64.52% for the detection of PCA at biopsy. Conclusion: Metabolomic analysis can predict the outcome of the first systematic biopsy.