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To investigate whether low partial pressure of oxygen (Po₂) in prostate cancer (CaP) predicts for biochemical outcome after radiotherapy. We previously reported that hypoxic regions exist in human CaP.

Custom-made Eppendorf Po₂ microelectrodes were used to obtain ∼100 Po₂ readings from both pathologically involved regions of the prostate (as determined by sextant biopsies) and normal muscle (as an internal control). Fifty-seven patients with localized disease were prospectively studied; all received brachytherapy implants (48 low dose rate and 9 high dose rate) under spinal anesthesia. Nine patients had received prior hormonal therapy. Biochemical failure was defined as two consecutive rises in prostate-specific antigen level, without a return to baseline. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of hypoxia on biochemical control, while …