AIM: Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) plays a central role during cancer invasion by facilitating pericellular proteolysis. We initiated the prospective 'Copenhagen uPAR Prostate Cancer' study to investigate the significance of uPAR levels in prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

METHODS: Plasma samples and clinical data from patients with newly diagnosed PCa have been collected prospectively. The uPAR forms have been measured in plasma using time-resolved fluorescence immunoassays.

RESULTS: The level of intact uPAR(I-III) did not differ. Plasma uPAR(I-III) + uPAR(II-III) levels and uPAR(I) levels were significantly higher in hormone-naive and castrate-resistant patients compared with patients with localized disease (both: p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Our results show that cleaved uPAR forms are significantly increased in patients with advanced PCa.