Abstract
BACKGROUND: The limitations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa) necessitate the exploration of novel biomarkers. Recent studies suggest a potential link between coagulation markers, particularly fibrinogen and D-dimer, and PCa. METHODS: A retrospective single-center analysis on 466 biopsy-undergone patients was conducted, categorized into PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) groups. Baseline and coagulation parameter levels were analyzed. Utilizing a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, we investigated the causative relationship between D-dimer and PCa risk. RESULTS: Individuals with PCa, compared with those with BPH, exhibited significantly higher D-dimer levels (P < .001), total PSA (P < .001), and PSA density (P < .001). Fibrinogen levels did not exhibit significant differences (P = .505). The MR analysis suggested a probable causal link between elevated D-dimer levels and an increased risk of PCa (odds ratio: 1.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.48-2.21, P = 7.4 × 10(-9)). CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights D-dimer as a potential biomarker for diagnosing PCa, supported by clinical and MR analyses. The study paves the way for future large-scale, multi-center research to corroborate these findings and further explore the relationship between coagulation markers and PCa mechanisms.