Methodology for the at-home collection of urine samples for prostate cancer detection

Urine from prostate cancer patients contains gene transcripts which have been used for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Archetypally patient urine samples have been collected after a digital rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate which was thought necessary to boost the levels of prostatic secretions in the urine. We herein describe methodology that allows urine to be collected by patients at home and then posted to a laboratory for analysis. RNA yields and quality were comparable to post-DRE urine, and there was improved sensitivity for the detection of TMPRSS2:ERG transcripts by RT-PCR. The At-Home Collection protocol has opened up the potential to perform large-scale prostate cancer studies without the inconvenience, cost, discomfort and expense of having to visit the clinic.