Thirty years of research on infection and prostate cancer: no conclusive evidence for a link: A systematic review
Abstract
The potential role of genitourinary infection in the etiology of prostate cancer (PC) has been extensively investigated for 30 years. Two basic approaches have been used: tissue-based methods (polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization) and serological assays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, etc.).
The objective of this review was to answer the question of whether infection of the male genitourinary tract may have a role in the etiology of PC. We have carried out a systematic review of the evidence that was published in the Medline/PubMed database until December 2011.
Despite the variable study designs and methodological approaches that were used, most of the pathogens that were studied were unlikely to be directly involved in prostate carcinogenesis. The role of infection in the etiology of PC has yet to be determined despite 30 years of research efforts.
A discovery of an infectious agent that is associated with PC would be of great medical importance; however, such a link would have to be firmly established before impacting on patient care.