BackTable / Urology / Podcast / Episode #269

Beyond PSA: The Science Driving Smarter Blood Tests

with Dr. Jason Hafron

We have relied on PSA for decades, but what’s next in precision screening for prostate cancer? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Jason Hafron from the Michigan Institute of Urology joins host Dr. Ruchika Talwar to discuss the evolving role of biomarkers and artificial intelligence in prostate cancer screening.

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Beyond PSA: The Science Driving Smarter Blood Tests with Dr. Jason Hafron on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Ep 269 Beyond PSA: The Science Driving Smarter Blood Tests with Dr. Jason Hafron

00:00 / 01:04

BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2025, October 28). Ep. 269 – Beyond PSA: The Science Driving Smarter Blood Tests [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com

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Podcast Contributors

Dr. Jason Hafron

Dr. Jason Hafron is the Chief Medical Officer at Michigan Institute of Urology in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Dr. Ruchika Talwar

Dr. Ruchika Talwar is a urologic oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Synopsis

Together, Dr. Hafron and Dr. Talwar examine the ongoing challenges of PSA testing and the promise of next-generation blood-based biomarkers, including 4Kscore and IsoPSA tests. They explore how these advancements are reshaping detection, diagnosis, and risk stratification. The episode also highlights how these tools may improve active surveillance protocols, reduce unnecessary biopsies, and better personalize prostate cancer management for better outcomes.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction
02:23 - Limitations of PSA
10:21 - Limitations of MRI
18:08 - Overview of Biomarkers (IsoPSA, 4K, PHI, SelectMDx, MIPS, ExoDx)
26:30 - Artificial Intelligence

Resources

Prostate Cancer Screening With PSA, Kallikrein Panel, and MRI: The ProScreen Randomized Trial
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2817323

Using IsoPSA With Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Score May Help Refine Biopsy Decision Making in Patients With Elevated PSA
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36965817/

Clinical validation of IsoPSA, a single parameter, structure-focused assay for improved detection of prostate cancer: A prospective, multicenter study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35840465/

The Materials available on BackTable are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.

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