
"Health wise I am feeling great. I am a big supporter of trials - it allows new treatments and drugs to be brought in.”
This study looked at measuring the level of citrate in semen to detect cancer.
If your doctor thinks you may have prostate cancer you will have some tests. These include a prostate biopsy and blood test called a PSA test.
Researchers wanted to look at a possible new test for prostate cancer. They measured levels of a substance called citrate in . Citrate is a metabolite and is formed as part of normal body processes. These alter as cancers grow, changing citrate levels in prostate cells.
The aim of this study was to see if measuring citrate levels in semen could be useful as a test to diagnose prostate cancer.
The research team found that citrate levels in semen could be a useful indicator of prostate cancer.
This trial recruited men who were having tests for prostate cancer. The research team looked at 32 samples. For each person taking part they looked at
They found that
The research team are keeping an eye on 2 men who didn’t have prostate cancer but had a raised PSA level and a low citrate level. They think the low citrate level may mean these men have very early stage prostate cancer, and they would like to find out more.
They concluded that measuring citrate level in semen could be useful to help diagnose prostate cancer.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. As far as we are aware, the information they sent us has not been reviewed independently () or published in a medical journal yet. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Professor David Parker
Durham University
Fscan Limited
James Cook University Hospital
ONE-NE
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"Health wise I am feeling great. I am a big supporter of trials - it allows new treatments and drugs to be brought in.”