Johns Hopkins Health Alert
A Better Blood Test For Prostate Cancer
UPDATE
As part of our ongoing effort to ensure that this website is up to date, we have determined that the information in the article A Better Blood Test For Prostate Cancer is no longer current, and has therefore been removed.
If you would like to read related articles about prostate cancer, please go to the Prostate Disorders topic page. Thank you.
Posted in Prostate Disorders on June 7, 2007
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Is this test available to me in any way?
Posted by: rtrowbridge | June 9, 2007 7:57 AM
It says at the very end of the article: "Getzenberg says larger clinical trials for EPCA-2 are planned that could make this test available to the public in approximately 18 months."
So even though it is not yet available to the public, with the clinical trials, they are going to need men with suspected prostate cancer, especially those without a definitive conclusion on their prostate biopsy, to participate in the trial. If you contact Hopkins/Dr. Getzenberg's office, I'm sure they will be able to tell you more.
In any event, if you have had a prostate biopsy and are still not sure what to do, always get a second opinion. The free Johns Hopkins Guide 7 Keys to Treating Prostate Cancer has information on this and how to contact Hopkins as well. If you haven't already downloaded a copy, it is at the bottom of this page:
http://www.hopkinsreports.com/prostate
Posted by: Jo | June 11, 2007 7:04 AM
Contact information:
The Office of Robert H. Getzenberg, Ph.D.
Research Director
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Department of Urology
Marburg 121
600 N. Wolfe Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21287-2101
Hopkins' Patient website is at http://www.hopkinshospital.com
Posted by: Jo | June 13, 2007 3:19 PM
I would appreciate knowing if anyone can have a blood sample sent to John Hopkins and have a EPCA-2 test run on the sample? I applaud you on finding a test that can not only detect cancer in the prostate but outside the body as well. I would appreciate a reply. Dr. Jerome K. Reid
Posted by: toothaker | October 3, 2007 12:49 PM
As with all clinical trials, there will most likely be some type of inclusion and exclusion criteria, so please contact Dr. Getzenberg's office directly as per the contact information provided on this page for further details.
Posted by: Jo | July 30, 2008 8:15 AM
Here we are on November 22, 2008. When will the EPCA-2 blood test become available to our local urologists?
Posted by: Silas Moore | November 22, 2008 5:55 PM
Here we are on November 22, 2008. When will the EPCA-2 blood test become available to our local urologists?
Posted by: Silas Moore | November 22, 2008 5:55 PM
I'm supposed to have a second prostate biopsy - the first one a year ago was negative. My PSA was 4.3 when I had the biopsy, went down to 2.3 6 months after the biopsy after being prescribed Prostate 2.2 tablets, had a normal rectal exam this November, but the PSA went up to 3.9. I'd like to try the EPCA-2 blood test before doing another biopsy. When will it be available? The April 2007 news release said '18 months from April 2007' which would mean about now. Thanks.
Posted by: kenzrw | December 4, 2008 4:05 PM
THE LAB NUMBER IS 502-3137!!!!
Please DO NOT call 502-3132. If you do, please do not yell at the poor grad student who has NO IDEA what the hell you are talking about.
Posted by: jmoz | February 5, 2009 12:39 PM
I have read with great interest the June 2007 Johns Hopkins article regarding the development of new testing methods for determining the potential presence of prostate cancer. Based on the information and testing schedule provided, it appears the Hospital anticipated the availability of this (or a comparable) test in early 2009. As a patient who is experiencing potential prostate problems, may I request Johns Hopkins (Hospital or University School of Medicine) to provide an update and advise as to the commercial status of this very important test? Thank you in advance for providing this invaluable information. Dave
Posted by: DJPM | June 25, 2009 11:11 AM
A followup to my post earlier today. If Johns Hopkins is unable to answer my question regarding the current availability/status of the EPCA-2 (or comparable) prostate cancer screening test (discussed in your June 2007 Press Release), would you please direct me to the appropriate organization/individual? Thank you. Dave
Posted by: DJPM | June 25, 2009 11:34 AM
With the potential loss to doctors of millions of dollars will the EPCA 2 ever be available to the public?
Posted by: Jon R | August 21, 2009 1:36 PM
Terribly sorry to be any bearer of bad news, but there seems to be a controversy regarding the validity of some of the testing here. Like many of you it would be nice for someone at John's Hopkins to either validate or refute the test at the current time. I suspect due to the lack of posts this test may have lost credibility.
There are several articles from Google when searching on "epca-2 test".
http://www.psa-rising.com/blog/2009/09/onconome-sues-for-fraud-in-epca-2-prostate-test-case/
http://www.psa-rising.com/prostatecancer/epca2-07.htm
Posted by: ClarkDenson | January 24, 2010 8:27 PM
When will the ECPA-2 test be available in Northern New Jersey-New York City? I know that the doctor did not say he was going to poke around and clip little pieces from four areas of the prostrate, but that's what registered. Articles seem to indicate that the ECPA-2 test is more accurate and significantly less invasive. The previous PSA tests have been inconclusive and not consistent.
Disturbingly, calls to several urologists and hospitals in the area show they have no idea what an ECPA-2 test is.
Posted by: garratty | February 24, 2011 3:13 PM
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A really fascinating and exciting article. What a breakthrough for men who have a prostate biopsy, but don't get a definitive diagnosis as to whether or not it is prostate cancer. Thank you for the videocast as well. Very informative.
Posted by: Jo | June 9, 2007 7:15 AM