Inventors:
Robert Dreicer - Iowa City IA
John Kemp - Iowa City IA
Assignee:
University of Iowa Research Foundation - Iowa City IA
International Classification:
G01N 3353
US Classification:
435 723, 5303871, 435 71, 435 793, 435 794, 435 795, 435962
Abstract:
The present invention includes a method for stimulating increased PSA production by prostate cancer cells, comprising the steps of reducing the amount of iron available to the prostate cancer cells; and causing increased PSA production. In another aspects of the present invention, there are provided prostate cancer diagnostic kits comprising a first container containing an iron chelator; and second container containing a free-PSA-specific antibody, wherein the free-PSA-specific antibody is detectable. Also provided as part of the present invention are methods for diagnosing prostate cancer in a human, comprising reducing the amount of available iron in the human, and subsequently testing PSA levels.