Roche launches enhanced portfolio of tumour markers including Elecsys® total PSA and free PSA assays for use in the detection of prostate cancer

As consciousness of prostate cancer is heightened throughout March, during the annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Roche in the UK launches its enhanced portfolio of tumour markers for the early detection of prostate cancer, giving health professionals across the UK access to simple and effective tools to help in the detection of prostate cancer, and for monitoring response to treatment.

One man dies every hour in the UK of the prostate cancer¹. Symptoms include difficulty in passing urine and/or passing urine more frequently than usual. Some men with prostate cancer may have no symptoms at all. But despite the large numbers of men who are affected, the cancer remains a hidden disease and tends not be talked about. ²

The prostate cancer test from Roche, available for use by healthcare professionals, consists of two sensitive and specific assays for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) - the Elecsys® Total PSA assay and the Elecsys® Free PSA assay. PSA measurement is currently considered to be the best method for identifying risk of localised prostate cancer¹. This marker may lead to the detection of cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop, when the cancer could be cured or treatment could extend life³.

PSA is a substance produced by the prostate that helps in the mobility of sperm. A rise in PSA levels above the 'normal' range (PSA levels increase with age) may indicate infection, enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or cancer of the prostate. PSA measurement should be used in conjunction with DRE (Digital Rectal Examination), using age specific reference ranges. The additional measurement of percentage Free PSA helps to further differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous conditions when total PSA is in the range of 4 to 10 ng/mL and DRE is negative2. PSA measurements and DRE help to identify patients that may require further investigation. Used in combination, the Roche Elecys prostate-specific markers can give a valuable indication of the possible presence of prostate cancer in the early stages of the disease or when symptoms are not apparent.

Ian Parfrement, Director, Hospital In vitro Diagnostics at Roche said "Although there is currently no population screening for prostate cancer, there is considerable demand for the PSA test amongst men worried about the disease and therefore this is a good opportunity to raise awareness of these enhanced markers. The Roche PSA assays like all of our Elecsys tumour markers are available on a wide range of Roche immunochemistry analysers and complete serum work area (SWA) platforms and therefore tests can be performed in a clinical laboratory of any size. The combination of automation and consolidated testing ensures speed, accuracy and cost effectiveness. We believe the test's capability of early detection will help make a real difference to men all over the country affected by the disease."

"Going forward, Roche is continuing to focus on developing novel markers across the full spectrum of the clinical pathway - from risk assessment, screening, prognosis, diagnosis, response prediction through to therapy management - which will be essential in the fight against the UK's major killer diseases, concluded Parfrement."

For further information about the Elecsys Total PSA and Free PSA assays or any of the assays in the comprehensive Roche Tumour Marker range, please contact the Roche Centralised Diagnostics Marketing Team on 01444 256000 or visit www.roche-diagnostics.co.uk.

1. Source: The Prostate Cancer Charity

2. The UK Government has introduced the PSA Informed Choice Programme, Prostate Cancer Risk Management which is designed to provide high quality information for men requesting the test. NHS Cancer Screening Programmes (2010) Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme: information for primary care; PSA testing in asymptomatic men. Evidence document. www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/prostate

3. Practice Guidelines and Recommendations for use of Tumor Markers in the clinic (2002), AACC Press.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche's personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2009, Roche had over 80'000 employees worldwide and invested almost 10 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 49.1 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.

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