The Prostate Health Index (phi) is a new combination of 3 blood tests that results in a score, or phi score. This score gives you more accurate information on what an elevated PSA level might mean and the probability of finding cancer on biopsy.*
Results from a prospective, multi-center clinical trial found that phi significantly enhanced clinical specificity relative to PSA for prostate cancer detection1. This improved specificity allows for a substantial decrease in the number of prostate biopsies that are negative for cancer.
phi is the only multi-analyte blood test listed as a marker of specificity for prostate cancer in the NCCN Guidelines. The NCCN Guidelines indicate that a phi value > 35 is strongly suspicious for prostate cancer.
phi is a powerful combination of three Beckman Coulter assays:
The new and novel p2PSA assay is specific to measuring [-2]proPSA. The [-2]proPSA biomarker is an isoform of free PSA that was identified as the most prostate cancer-specific form found in tumor extracts.4 The p2PSA results are combined with PSA and free PSA test results by an algorithm in the Beckman Coulter Access instrument, providing a probability of prostate cancer.
Over 70 published clinical papers and meetings abstracts have demonstrated the benefits and economic value of the Prostate Health Index. These studies confirm that phi significantly improves clinical specificity for prostate cancer detection relative to PSA*
PSA is a widely used screening tool for prostate cancer. However, with PSA limited is specificity, a more precise tool is needed for prostate cancer detection. That tool was found in the discovery of phi.
The significantly higher specificity of phi means a greater probability of detecting those patients that actually need a biopsy, allowing for a substantial decrease in the number of prostate biopsies that are reported as negative for cancer. phi has the potential to reduce negative biopsies by ~ 30%.
Because phi is three times more specific than PSA for detecting prostate cancer1, it fills the diagnostic gap between PSA testing and a prostate biopsy.
Combined with family and patient history, the phi results can be used to determine the best individualized patient management decisions.
The Prostate Health Index is available for order from Accu Reference Medical Lab.
Accu Reference Medical Lab is a state-of-the-art, multi-specialty clinical laboratory that provides the complete range of tests for diagnostics, screening and evaluation of various health conditions. Information provided by ACCU Reference helps clinicians improve the quality of care by confirming diagnoses of medical conditions, directing therapy and predicting patients health risks.
Strategic partnership with Accu Reference Medical Lab prevents excessive utilization of medical procedures, ultimately promoting appropriate and cost-effective medical management.
Accu Reference Medical Lab is dedicated to delivering world-class service to physicians, medical centers, hospitals and their patients.
*The phi results are intended to be used as an aid in distinguishing prostate cancer from benign prostatic conditions in men 50 years of age and older with total PSA results in the 4 -10 ng/mL range and negative digital rectal examination (DRE) findings.