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What is the Prostate Health Index (phi)?
The Prostate Health Index is three things: a simple blood test to improve early detection of prostate cancer, a tool to reduce negative biopsies and provide more confidence in your biopsy decisions, and is used as a recommendation by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for PCa Early Detection prior to transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsies.
The Prostate Health Index (phi) comprises three tests in combination:
- PSA
- free PSA
- p2PSA
The new p2PSA assay specifically measures [-2]proPSA. The [-2]proPSA biomarker is an isoform of free PSA that was identified as the most prostate cancer-specific form found in tumor extracts.1 The PSA, free PSA and p2PSA results are combined in the Access instrument to calculate a probability of prostate cancer.
Benefits of Prostate Health Index (phi)
The PSA test is a widely used screening tool for prostate cancer. However, given the PSA test's limited specificity for cancer, a more precise tool is needed for prostate cancer detection. The phi score provides better risk stratification to identify patients who need a biopsy.* The appropriate use of phi can significantly modify physicians' behavior patterns and improve their ability to diagnose and manage their patients. phi is another tool to help physicians and help their patients decide if a biopsy is right for them.2
The power of Prostate Health Index (phi)
A recent study published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases demonstrated that physicians elected to perform fewer prostate biopsies for men who presented in the diagnostic gray zone when phi testing was included in their overall routine clinical assessment. Physicians reported that phi testing significantly impacted their patient management decision in over 73% of their cases. Only 36% of men received biopsies when phi testing was included in the assessment, compared with the 60% who had to undergo such procedures before phi was available.2
More than 80 published clinical papers and meeting abstracts demonstrate the health benefits and economic value of phi.
How is the Prostate Health Index (phi) used in clinical practice?
Because phi improves specificity for prostate cancer, it fills the diagnostic gap between PSA screening and a prostate biopsy (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Diagnostic Considerations for Prostate Cancer
What does the Prostate Health Index (phi) score mean?
The phi diagnostic gray zone in countries outside of the U.S. is defined as PSA levels between 2 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL. The probability of having detectable prostate cancer based on phi results when that patient has a PSA in the diagnostic gray zone slightly changes based on these PSA levels (see Table 1 and 2).Probability of Prostate Cancer Based on phi Results Between 2 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL2
| (Hybritech Calibration of PSA and free PSA) | ||
| Beckman Coulter phi Range* (Hybritech Calibration) |
Probability of Cancer | 95% Confidence Interval |
| 0–21 | 8.4% | 1.9%–16.1% |
| 21–40 | 21.0% | 17.3%–24.6% |
| 40+ | 44.0% | 36.0%–52.9% |
Table 1. Clinical study data shows phi results can be used to assess probability of cancer.
Probability of Prostate Cancer for Beckman Coulter phi in Patients with PSA between 1.6 ng/mL and 7.8 ng/mL3
| Beckman Coulter phi Range* (WHO Calibration) |
Probability of Cancer | 95% Confidence Interval |
| 0–23 | 8.7% | 2.0%–17.0% |
| 23–45 | 20.6% | 17.1%–24.1% |
| 45+ | 43.8% | 35.8%–52.2% |
Table 2. Clinical study data shows phi results can be used to assess probability of cancer.
Bringing phi to your physicians and patients
phi is exclusive to Beckman Coulter and therefore must be run on a Beckman Coulter immunoassay analyzer. If your laboratory includes a Beckman Coulter analyzer, it's easy to get the laboratory set up to run these tests.
Interested in trying phi before you bring it in-house?
If you do not have a Beckman Coulter immunoassay analyzer to run phi, consider sending out to one of the reference laboratories below.
- ACCU Reference is a state-of-the-art, multi-specialty medical laboratory that provides the complete range of tests for diagnostics, screening and evaluation of various health conditions. Information provided by ACCU Reference helps clinicians improve the quality of care by confirming diagnoses of medical conditions, directing therapy and predicting patients' health risks. Strategic partnership with ACCU Reference prevents excessive utilization of medical procedures, ultimately promoting appropriate and cost-effective medical management. ACCU Reference is dedicated to delivering world-class service to physicians, medical centers, hospitals and their patients. www.accureference.com/phi/. ACCU Reference Medical Lab's dedicated phi phone number: 800.766.8378. Disclaimer: ACCU Reference is only available to U.S. customers
- ARUP Laboratories is a nonprofit, academic reference laboratory at the forefront of diagnostic medicine. They are a CAP, ISO 15189, and CLIA-certified diagnostic lab with more than 30 years of experience supporting clients with unparalleled quality and service. ARUP offers this FDA, NYDH-approved phi test in all 50 states. Visit aruplab.com for more information. Phone number: 800.522.2787. Email: clientservices@aruplab.com
- Innovative Diagnostic Laboratory is a national clinical reference lab specializing in personalized blood-based testing to help find, understand and address cancer risk in patient populations. www.myinnovativelab.com. Phone number: 855.420.7140
- Lenco Diagnostic Laboratory is a fully licensed facility by the state of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and is certified by CLIA and CAP. Providing diagnostic testing and monitoring services, Lenco Diagnostic Laboratory is noted for its expertise in infectious diseases, immunology, rheumatology, oncology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology, genetics and endocrinology. www.lencolab.com. Phone number: 718.232.1515. Email: tatyana@lencolab.com
- Mayo Medical Laboratories is a global reference laboratory operating within Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology that offers more than 3,000 tests across all healthcare sub-specialties. It is certified by CAP and CLIA and its quality programs exceed the high level of proficiency and standardization that auditors require. Mayo Medical Laboratories offers the FDA-approved phi test in all 50 states, as well as internationally. www.MayoMedicalLaboratories.com/phi-test. Phone number: 855.516.8404
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is phi in the NCCN Guidelines?
A: Yes, phi was first added to the NCCN Guidelines in 2014.
Q: Are there any clinical studies on phi available?
A: Yes, there are more than 80 published studies on phi from around the world. Your Beckman Coulter representative can provide a summary of these clinical studies.
Q: Do you have to run Beckman Coulter's PSA and fPSA assays to calculate phi?
A: Yes, phi is calculated using the test results from Beckman Coulter's PSA, fPSA and p2PSA, all using the same method of calibration.
