Tissue Resonance Interaction Method (TRIMprob) has the potential to be used alongside the recognized tests in the screening protocols for prostate cancer

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the magnetic induction technique with a nonlinear tunable oscillator (the Tissue Resonance Interaction Method [TRIMprob]) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (CaP). Overall, 148 men were split into two groups (patients at risk of CaP [Group 1] and controls [Group 2]) and evaluated with the TRIMprob. Group 1 consisted of 100 patients (mean age: 63.8 +/- 7.2 years) with elevated prostate-specific antigen (> 4 ng/mL) levels and/or abnormal digital rectal examination. Eleven patients (Group 2a, mean age: 59.5 +/- 7.3) with previously biopsy-proven CaP served as positive controls. In addition, 37 voluntary men (Group 2b, mean age: 39.8 +/- 10.4) with normal prostate-specific antigen and digital rectal examination without lower urinary tract symptoms served as negative controls. Non-linear resonance was analyzed at 465 MHz and a cut-off value of 40 units was detected as the resonance value for the best threshold to distinguish benign conditions from CaP after transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy with a standard 10-12 core technique in Group 1. Mean resonance values (+/- standard deviation) with the TRIMprob examination for patients in Groups 1 and 2b were 36.72 +/- 22.35 and 73.64 +/- 10.06, respectively, whereas for patients in Group 2a, it was 13.73 +/- 12.12 (P < 0.01). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the TRIMprob using the study cohort of Group 1 were found as 76%, 61.3%, 39.6% and 88.5%, respectively. Despite some technical limitations, the non-invasive TRIMprob examination may have a role in screening protocols for CaP.