In vivodetermination of prostatic zinc: phantom feasibility study

Abstract

This paper describes a phantom-based feasibility study for a potential in vivo determination of zinc in prostate, which could bring about improved diagnosis of prostate cancer. An x-ray fluorescence topographic technique was developed, which will permit determination of the Zn content in the prostate through the rectum, namely behind a 2-3 mm thick layer of the rectal wall. The topographic approach, together with a reconstruction method developed here, minimizes the interference of Zn from non-prostatic tissue. The phantom studies show that it will be possible to determine Zn in a prostatic compartment behind a few mm thick layer of tissue using a specially designed transrectal probe. Such a probe is currently under development in our laboratories.

Atomic spectrometry update. Clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…In this review, the feasability of measurement of Ag and As in skin has been assessed 49,50 and there has been some interesting development in the potentially useful assesment of prostate cancer by in vivo determination of Zn in the prostate. 51,52 The pollution of groundwater in West Bengal with As has been a disaster to the people living in the affected areas. Recent studies have shown, through hair and nail analysis, that nail is a good biomarker for As 75 and has indicated that other elements, such as Mn, Ni and Pb, may have been involved.…”

“…A phantom-based feasability study was carried out by Shilstein et al 51 for the in vivo determination of Zn in prostate. Their method would allow determination through a 2-3 mm thick layer of the rectal wall using an XRF topographic technique with minimal interference from Zn in non-prostatic tissue.…”

Medical applications of X-ray fluorescence for trace element research

“…Moreover, feasibility and in vivo studies of cadmium, mercury, gold, platinum, uranium, zinc, arsenic, etc. have been published (Börjesson et al , 1995; Christoffersson and Mattsson, 1983; Farquharson and Bradley, 1999; Jonson et al , 1985; O’Meara et al , 1997; Shakeshaft and Lillicrap, 1993; Shilstein, et al , 2004; Studinski et al , 2005). Table I summarizes elements subject to in vivo XRF.…”

“…Moreover, can an improved separation between prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia be established? A feasibility study of a technique with an X-ray tube using mammography energies around 17 keV and zinc XRF lines at 9 keV was done by Shilstein et al (2004). The idea is to determine zinc in the prostate via a probe placed in rectum.…”

Atomic spectrometry update. X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry

“…Detection limits of 0.25 mg Sr g À1 Ca were obtained, which is sufficient for monitoring Sr levels in human tissues. Shilstein et al 435 presented a phantom-based feasibility study for in vivo determinations of Zn in the prostate, allowing measurements through a 2-3 mm thick layer of the rectal wall. The use of an XRF topographic technique resulted in a minimisation of the Zn interference from nonprostatic tissue.…”