To investigate the early diagnostic efficacy of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) combined with four-gene model (ITGB5, ERG, TIMP1, TMEM176B) of peripheral blood for prostate cancer (PCa).

A four-gene diagnostic model of peripheral blood for prostate cancer was firstly established. Then, MP-MRI examination and four-gene detection of peripheral blood were taken in 363 patients with suspected prostate cancer (the results were positive or negative). The prostate biopsy or postoperative pathological results were taken as the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for MP-MRI, four-gene model, MP-MRI combined with four-gene model in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, respectively.

The four-gene model alone has higher sensitivity (99.0%) and negative predictive value (97.9%) in the diagnosis of PCa. MP-MRI combined with the four-gene model significantly increased the diagnostic specificity (86.4%) and the positive predictive value (87.5%) for PCa compared with MP-MRI alone or four-gene model alone.

Four-gene model and MP-MRI combined with four-gene model are ideal methods in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, showing good clinical application prospects for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.