摘要:
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for distinguishing between prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia with high sensitivity and good reproducibility using a small amount of an analyte sample. The method for distinguishing between prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia according to the present invention as a solution means thereof comprises: bringing an analyte sample containing a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) into contact with a carrier having an anti-free PSA antibody immobilized thereon, thereby binding free PSA to the anti-free PSA antibody immobilized on the carrier; thereafter bringing the carrier in which the free PSA is bound to the immobilized anti-free PSA antibody into contact with a monoclonal antibody capable of specifically recognizing a glycan in which a terminal sialic acid residue is bound to galactose through an α(2,3) bond, thereby binding the monoclonal antibody capable of specifically recognizing a glycan in which a terminal sialic acid residue is bound to galactose through an α(2, 3) bond to the free PSA bound to the anti-free PSA antibody immobilized on the carrier; measuring the amount of the free PSA having an N-type glycan in which a terminal sialic acid residue is bound to galactose through an α(2, 3) bond; comparing the measured amount thus obtained with a preset cutoff value for prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia, thereby determining that when the measured amount is larger than the cutoff value, prostate carcinoma is developed or the probability of developing prostate carcinoma is high, and when the measured amount is smaller than the cutoff value, benign prostatic hyperplasia is developed or the probability of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia is high.