Scientists in Cambridge have developed a new ‘super test’ for prostate cancer in an effort to revolutionise screening and diagnosis of the disease and accelerate personalised treatment for patients. The test identifies the presence or absence of cancerous cells, signs of early and late-stage cancer, whether it is slow or aggressive as well as genetic and hereditary risks in the patient.
The new test involves studying the most comprehensive combination of clinically-validated prostate-related biomarkers currently known, in both blood and urine samples. The interpretation of these biomarkers using a proprietary AI-driven algorithm highlights early signs of cancer and characteristic features that can guide treatment selection.
There are 55,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the UK each year, more than 330,000 across European Union countries and more than one million men undergoing treatment at any one time.
More than 100 clinically validated biomarkers are measured in the new test – which has been developed by EDX Medical Group [AQSE:EDX], which is listed in London on the AQSE exchange.
The biomarkers used in the test are then analysed by the specially created AI-powered algorithm which produces a detailed report of results for doctors.
Exceptionally high accuracy on prostate cancer tests
EDX Medical scientists expect the test to consistently deliver exceptionally high accuracy with levels of sensitivity and specificity of between 96-99% across an extended age-range and diverse ethnic groups. By comparison, current standard of care prostate testing, including prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests and biopsies, can be below 50%.
The non-invasive ‘super test’ will detect various sub-types of prostate cancer determining key features particularly important for patients in non-caucasian higher risk groups.
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The super test takes a ‘multi-omics’ approach and comprises a combination of multiple proteomic, transcriptomic, genetic/hereditary and epigenetic biomarker signatures which provide detailed biological data. A comprehensive list of phenotypic and symptom data is added to the biomarker data and is simultaneously analysed by the AI algorithm.
Individually, these biomarkers have all been clinically validated and published and in previous trials on more than 31,000 positive prostate cancer samples as well as more than 100,000 control non-cancer samples.
A highly accurate prostate cancer test will provide significant benefits for seemingly well 45-70 year-old men and also for healthcare providers. The increased accuracy should reduce the requirement to run unnecessary MRI scans. The need for highly invasive digital rectal examinations (DRE) will also be dramatically reduced.
Test patents filed in UK and Europe
The new test is being developed at the Cambridge laboratory of EDX Medical Group which develops and supplies digitally enhanced diagnostic tools for cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. The company has filed a patent application for the test and the AI algorithm with the European Patent Office.
Prof Sir Chris Evans, founder and chief scientific officer of EDX Medical, said:
“We have been studying this area intensively and are tremendously excited by what we believe is a truly game-changing test. Every indication thus far shows it will be the most accurate and sensitive screening test available and will be transformative in tackling prostate cancer in men who may have no idea if anything is wrong with them.”
The integrated approach highlights the potential of combining these molecular signatures, offering a powerful, non-invasive diagnostic tool that can certainly improve clinical outcomes and help personalise treatment for patients.
The incorporation of all these biomarkers into routine screening could revolutionise prostate cancer management by enabling earlier detection and more accurate risk prediction. What sets this test apart is the use of so many biomarkers with best-in-class instrument and reagent technology and our bespoke AI algorithm.
Sir Chris Hoy, the UK gold medallist cyclist, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and supports campaigns to raise awareness and encourage early diagnosis, said:
“Prof Sir Chris Evans and his team encouraged and supported me greatly after my initial diagnosis and I know they have some amazing people and a great commitment to finding better ways to diagnose and treat prostate and other cancers. I now know there is a need for better and more accurate prostate cancer screening tests and I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative by Sir Chris’ EDX.”
