Early Prostate Cancer Antigen (EPCA)

Early prostate cancer antigen is a nuclear matrix protein that was recently shown to be expressed in prostate adenocarcinoma and adjacent benign tissue.The marker also is present in normal tissue adjacent to tumor tissue in individuals having prostate cancer. The marker, however, is absent in the prostate of individuals without prostate cancer. Increased serum level of early prostate cancer antigen (EPCA) is associated with subsequent cancer risk in men with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

Early prostate cancer antigen (EPCA) has been recently suggested as a novel biomarker in malignant and premalignant lesions of the prostate. Statistical analysis showed a significantly higher serum ECPA level in isolated HGPIN with subsequent cancer than those without. the potential of serum EPCA to serve as a significant predictor for subsequent cancer in isolated HGPIN.