METHOD TO DETECT PROSTATE CANCER IN A SAMPLE

The present invention relates to prostate cancer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method to detect prostate cancer in a patient sample by detecting the RNA encoded by the gene PCA3. More particularly the present invention relates to a method for determining a predisposition, or presence of prostate cancer in a patient comprising: (a) contacting a biological sample of a patient with at least one oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a PCA3 polynucleotide; (b) detecting in the biological sample an amount of PCA3 and second prostate specific polynucleotides; and (c) comparing the amount of PCA3 polynucleotide that hybridizes to the oligonucleotide to a predetermined cut off value, and therefrom determining the presence or absence of prostate cancer in the biological sample. The present invention further relates to diagnostic kits for the detection of prostate cancer or the risk of developing same in a patient comprising: (a) at least one container means having disposed therein at least one oligonucleotide probe or primer that hybridizes to one a PCA3 nucleic acid or complement thereof; (b) at least one oligonucleotide probe or primer that hybridizes with a second prostate specific nucleic acid or complement thereof; and (c) reagents enabling a detection of PCA3 and of the second prostate specific nucleic acid when PCA3 or second prostate-specific nucleic acid sequence is present.