Abstract: Inactive precursor forms of PSA (pPSA) have been identified to exist in serum and tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Antibodies specific for pPSA are provided. Methods for detecting inactive precursors of PSA in human physiological fluid and tissues are also provided, as well as diagnostic kits and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

Abstract: Inactive precursor forms of PSA (pPSA) have been identified to exist in serum and tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Antibodies specific for pPSA are provided. Methods for detecting inactive precursors of PSA in human physiological fluid and tissues are also provided, as well as diagnostic kits and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

Abstract: Inactive precursor forms of PSA (pPSA) have been identified to exist in serum and tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Antibodies specific for pPSA are provided. Methods for detecting inactive precursors of PSA in human physiological fluid and tissues are also provided, as well as diagnostic kits and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

Abstract: Assays for detecting and determining the presence of prostate cancer is provided. The assays are capable of detecting prostate cancer in the population of men with a significantly higher ratio of free PSA to total PSA. The assays are also capable of detecting prostate cancer in the population of men with a low amount of total PSA, i.e., in the range of 2 to 4 ng/ml.

Abstract: Assays for detecting and determining the presence of prostate cancer is provided. The assays are capable of detecting prostate cancer in the population of men with significantly higher ratio of free PSA to total PSA. The assays are also capable of detecting prostate cancer in the population of men with low amount of total PSA, i.e., in the range of 2 to 4 ng/ml. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the assay includes the steps of (a) determining the amount of total PSA contained in a biological sample from the patient, (b) determining the amount of free PSA in the sample; and calculating the ratio of the free PSA to the total PSA, (c) determining the amount of pPSA in the sample, and (d) correlating the amount of pPSA contained in the sample to the presence of prostate cancer in the patient by comparing the amount of pPSA to a predetermined value established with control samples of known cancer and benign disease diagnosis, based on both the level of total PSA and the % free PSA.

Abstract: Methods for identification and isolation of a benign prostate specific antigen (BPSA) protease and BPSA aminopeptidase are provided. The BPSA protease of the present invention preferentially cleaves prostate specific antigen (PSA) at residue Lys182 and does not react with the residue Arg85. The BPSA aminopeptidase cleaves BPSA between residues Ile1 and Val2 and between residues Lys146 and Leu147, but does not cleave BPSA at Ser183.

Abstract: A substantially pure and isolated novel form of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is provided. The novel form of PSA of the present invention comprises at least one clip at Lys 182 of the amino acid sequence of a mature form of PSA. Preferably, the novel form of PSA additionally comprises one or more clips at a location selected from a group consisting of Ile 1, Lys 145, and Lys 146. More preferably, the form of PSA contains at least two clips at Lys 145 and Lys 182 of the amino acid sequence of a mature form of PSA. The novel forms of PSA exist at an elevated level in patients suspected of having benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and therefore may be used as a serum mark or an immunohistological marker to help distinguish BPH from prostate cancer. Antibodies recognizing the novel forms of PSA and immunoassays that detect and determine the novel forms of PSA of the present invention in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Assays for detecting and determining the presence of prostate cancer is provided. The assays are capable of detecting prostate cancer in the population of men with a significantly higher ratio of free PSA to total PSA. The assays are also capable of detecting prostate cancer in the population of men with a low amount of total PSA, i.e., in the range of 2 to 4 ng/ml.

Abstract: A substantially pure and isolated novel form of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is provided. The novel form of PSA of the present invention comprises at least one clip at Lys 182 of the amino acid sequence of a mature form of PSA. Preferably, the novel form of PSA additionally comprises one or more clips at a location selected from a group consisting of Ile 1, Lys 145, and Lys 146. More preferably, the form of PSA contains at least two clips at Lys 145 and Lys 182 of the amino acid sequence of a mature form of PSA. The novel forms of PSA exist at an elevated level in patients suspected of having benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and therefore may be used as a serum mark or an immunohistological marker to help distinguish BPH from prostate cancer. Antibodies recognizing the novel forms of PSA and immunoassays that detect and determine the novel forms of PSA of the present invention in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Prostate cancer is detected by determining the presence of hK2 RNA in a physiological sample.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is provided. The mathematical combination or ratio of proPSA and BPSA serum or tissue markers may be used for distinguishing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) from prostate cancer. It is the discovery of the present invention that BPSA is preferentially elevated in transition zone prostate tissue whereas pPSA is elevated in the peripheral zone of prostate tissue. A kit for aiding in distinguishing BPH from prostate cancer is also provided.

Abstract: Inactive precursor forms of PSA (pPSA) have been identified to exist in serum and tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Antibodies specific for pPSA are provided. Methods for detecting inactive precursors of PSA in human physiological fluid and tissues are also provided, as well as diagnostic kits and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

Abstract: Inactive precursor forms of PSA (pPSA) have been identified to exist in serum and tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Antibodies specific for pPSA are provided. Methods for detecting inactive precursors of PSA in human physiological fluid and tissues are also provided, as well as diagnostic kits and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention is a novel immunoassay method for detection of the immunoglobulin IgA.sub.1 with O-linked oligosaccharides lacking sialic acid in fluid samples, such as blood, serum and plasma. Particuarly, the invention is an immunoassay method which extracts total IgA from fluid samples by reaction with an immobilized anti-IgA antibody, and then detects only the IgA.sub.1 fraction with labeled peanut agglutinin.

Abstract: A method for determining carbohydrate acceptors in a sample is disclosed wherein a sugar moiety is enzymatically transferred to the carbohydrate acceptor and the resulting carbohydrate acceptor-sugar complex is determined as a measure of the carbohydrate acceptor in the sample.