Effect on prostatic specific antigen by a short time treatment with a Curcuma extract: A real life experience and implications for prostate biopsy

Introduction and objectives: PSA elevation is associated with prostate cancer and it is used in screening programs for its diagnosis. It is one of the most common indications for referral to an urologist. There’s no consensus about what to do in PSA elevation management. Antibiotics, nutraceuticals or anti-inflammatories are commonly prescribed in daily practice. Our objective was to verify the effect on the PSA value of a short 30-day trial of a curcuma extract, than to discuss the implications in terms of reducing the number of prostate biopsies performed.
Patients and methods: We enrolled 50 consecutive patients admitted at our attention for a first PSA over the level of 4 ng/ml or for a suspected PSA rising defined as PSA velocity (PSAv) > 0.75 ng/ml/years. They received treatment with curcuma extract, 2 tablets per day for 30 day. All patients received a second PSA measurement and TRUS within 6 days from the end of the therapy. In case of PSA reduction below 4 ng/ml, patients were reassured and invited to repeat a PSA control over the time. When PSA level were persistently high over 4 ng/ml or in case of any rising, patients underwent a transrectal ultrasound guided 12-core prostatic biopsy (TRUSbx).
Results: Mean age of the patients was 64.56 ± 8.88 (range, 42- 81 years). Prostate volume was 48.34 ± 15,77 ml (range, 18-80 ml). At visit 1, PSA value was in mean 6,84 ± 3.79 ng/ml (range 2.93-21ng/ml). Consequently, mean PSA density value was 0.16 ± 0.16 (range 0.05-1.11). PSA free and PSA total ratio at baseline was 16.85 ± 3.9% (range 8-26%). At visit 2, the prostate volume did not change. Total PSA was 4.65 ± 2,67 ng/ml (range 1-16.82 ng/ml). PSA free and PSA total ratio (PSAF/T) after treatment was 19.68 ± 5.35 % (range 7.8-29%). The differences of total PSA and PSAF/T between visit 1 and visit 2 were < 0.0001 and p < 0.0036, respectively. We performed 26 TRUSbx. Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 6 cases, PIN HG in 2 cases and non neoplastic findings in the remnants 18 patients.
Conclusions: Use of the Curcuma extract is able to lower the PSA value after a 30-day intake period. We are not able to state that the reduction of PSA after intake of this Curcuma extract may exclude a prostate cancer. We need further studies to evaluate that.