Updated analysis of a pilot study examining the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in biochemical recurrence (BR) of prostate cancer.

e15023 Background: CTCs have been used as a prognostic factor in metastatic prostate cancer. Little data exists regarding the role of CTCs in BR of prostate cancer. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between the number of CTCs with prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and PSA doubling time (PSADT) in men with BR. In addition, we wished to explore the correlation of the CTCs with clinical and laboratory factors (Gleason scores, testosterone, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, BMI, imaging results). Methods: BR was defined as patients (pts) who have undergone primary treatment with prostatectomy or radiation or both, with rise to ≥ 0.2 from a prior undetectable level for prior prostatectomy or > 2 mg/dl rise from post-nadir radiotherapy. The study was powered to detect a Pearson correlation of .46 with a sample size of 36. 16 of planned accrual of 36 pts were enrolled from May to December 2010. PSADT was obtained and correlated with the CTC values, categorized as ...