PSA level below 0.2 ng/mL linked to improved prostate cancer survival

A real-world study published in the journal CANCER suggests that reaching a specific prostate-specific antigen (PSA) threshold is a more accurate predictor of survival for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer than a simple percentage decline.

Analyzing data from 4,890 patients treated via the Veterans Health Administration between 2018 and 2023, researchers found that patients who achieved a PSA level below 0.2 ng/mL within nine months of starting treatment were 54% less likely to die compared to those who did not reach that specific threshold. Notably, a 90% reduction in PSA levels alone did not provide a clear survival advantage if the absolute value remained above 0.2 ng/mL.

The findings indicate that patients who fail to reach this low PSA threshold may be candidates for more aggressive treatment strategies. Additionally, the study observed that combining testosterone deprivation therapy with other drugs to further block androgen signals increased the likelihood of reaching the target PSA level.