Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 as a marker of aggressive and advanced prostate cancer

There is a need for a new biochemical marker of aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) is a candidate for such a marker - its activity is increased in certain tumors and neoplastic cell lines, including PCa, and may correlate with cancer aggressiveness. IMPDH2 levels were measured in blood samples from 34 PCa patients. The results were analyzed and correlated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE), Gleason score, risk groups according to d'Amico and metastatic disease. Twenty healthy (non-PCa) patients served as the control group. There was no significant difference in IMPDH2 level between the PCa and control group, and no significant correlation between PSA and IMPDH2. IMPDH2 levels were significantly higher in the DRE (+) patients (148.5 ±174.8 vs. 33.4 ±46.4, p