Diagnostic method

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a method of diagnosing a prostate condition in a subject by determining, in a sample obtained from a subject, levels of a plurality of constituents selected from the group consisting of Ca, K, Mg, Zn, Ag, AI, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Br, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Fe, Gd, Hg, Ho, La, Li, Mn, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sr, Tb, Th, Tl, U, Y, and Zr. A combination of the levels of the plurality of constituents in the sample is compared with a combination of control levels of the same plurality of constituents. A difference between the combinations is indicative of the prostate condition.

1 . A method of diagnosing a prostate condition in a subject, comprising:
 determining, in a sample obtained from a subject, levels of a plurality of constituents selected from the group consisting of Ca, K, Mg, Zn, Ag, Al, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Br, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Fe, Gd, Hg, Ho, La, Li, Mn, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sr, Tb, Th, Tl, U, Y, and Zr; and   comparing a combination of the levels of the plurality of constituents in the sample with a combination of control levels of the same plurality of constituents, in which a difference between the combinations is indicative of the prostate condition.   
     
     
         2 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the prostate condition is prostate cancer. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the sample obtained from the subject comprises seminal fluid or expressed prostatic secretion. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 19 , comprising determining levels of least five of the constituents. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 19 , comprising determining levels of at least six of the constituents. 
     
     
         23 . A method of diagnosing a prostate condition in a subject, comprising:
 determining, in sample obtained from a subject, a level of at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of Ca, K, Mg, Ag, Al, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Br, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Fe, Gd, Hg, Ho, La, Li, Mn, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sr, Tb, Th, Tl, U, Y and Zr; and   comparing the level of the at least one constituent in the sample with a control level of the same at least one constituent, in which a difference between the level of the at least one constituent in the sample and the control level of the same at least one constituent is indicative of the prostate condition,   wherein the sample comprises seminal fluid or expressed prostatic secretion.   
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the prostate condition is prostate cancer.