How I Use It: The Exosome Diagnostics (EPI) prostate cancer biomarker utility in urology and primary care

Can J Urol. 2022 Aug;29(4):11224-11230.

Abstract

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening remains the mainstay for early detection of prostate cancer. Although PSA is a nonspecific prostate cancer biomarker, its specificity for high grade prostate cancer can be enhanced by pre-biopsy liquid biomarkers including the Exosome Dx Prostate IntelliScore (EPI) test. EPI is a stand-alone urine genomic test that measures 3 exosome-derived gene expression signatures without the need for digital rectal examination (DRE) or inclusion of standard of care parameters in the test algorithm. EPI has broad clinical utility as a risk stratification tool for clinically significant high grade prostate cancer in men considering diagnostic prostate biopsy (MRI-targeted and systematic biopsy). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the EPI At-Home Collection Kit was introduced and quickly became an important component of tele-urology. The EPI test has emerged as a prioritization tool for primary care referral to urologists and for prostate biopsy scheduling. EPI provides an objective and actionable genomic risk assessment tool for high grade prostate cancer and is a critical part of the informed decision-making regarding biopsy (targeted, systematic or both) in both urology and primary care practices.

Keywords: ExoDx (EPI); MRI; biomarkers; primary care; prostate cancer; prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening; urology.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biopsy
  • COVID-19
  • Exosomes* / genetics
  • Exosomes* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Self-Testing*
  • Urology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen