Randox has unveiled two new launches, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) which allows testing for indications of prostate cancer and other prostate conditions, as well as a an automated test for levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a protein made in the heart and blood vessels, elevated levels of which are indicative of several co-morbid conditions.
Randox’s new PSA test is able to detect conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Produced by both normal and malignant prostate cells, PSA functions to liquify semen in the seminal coagulum allowing sperm cells to move freely and to dissolve the cervical mucus permitting the sperm cells migration to the uterus.
Levels of PSA are low in healthy men but elevate in the presence of prostate cancer and other mentioned conditions. PSA screening is recommended for men over 40 years old that would be considered high risk: Black men, men with germline variants of BRCA1 or BRCA2 and/or men with a family history of prostate cancer. For those not considered to be high-risk, screening is still recommended between the ages of 55-70.
The control has been optimised for use with Roche systems, but it is also suitable for a variety of other platforms.
Also new from Randox is BNP, an automated test for levels of BNP. Elevated levels of BNP are indicative of several co-morbid conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, chronic renal failure and chronic respiratory disease. It has additionally been shown to be associated with ischaemic stroke and pre-eclampsia.
This control is designed to be used alongside the Acusera range of third-party controls, the Acusera 24.7 software will help to monitor and interpret QC data. With access to an impressive range of features which includes interactive charts, automatic calculations of measurement uncertainty and sigma metrics, live peer group data generated from our extensive database of laboratory participants, ensuring Acusera 24.7 is the most comprehensive package that is available.
The BNP control delivers an unbiased, independent assessment of analytical performance, helping to ensure accurate and reliable patient testing for BNP. With a 30-day open-vial stability, the BNP control will reduce waste, whilst remaining easy and convenient to use. Optimised for use on Beckman, Abbott and Siemens systems, these controls are also suitable for other platforms.
