In a project co-funded by PCFA, University of South Australia researchers have discovered three new biomarkers for prostate cancer.
The researchers have found that the biomarkers can help to identify potentially aggressive cases of Australia's most common cancer, which claims over 3,500 lives every year.
The international research team was led by UniSA Professor of Molecular Medicine, Doug Brooks.
"It is anticipated this will lead to long-term improvements in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded," Prof Brooks says.
"The biomarkers are remarkably sensitive and specific in accurately visualising the progress of the cancer and confirming its grade."
In a major step forward, the discovery could help to inform the creation of a new test that will help clinicians determine the best treatment pathways for men found to have high risk prostate cancers.
You can read the paper in the journal 'Cancers': https://lnkd.in/ej2-a4BR
MEDIA RELEASE
19 July 2023
In a project co-funded by PCFA, UniSA researchers have identified three new biomarkers for prostate cancer to help identify and differentiate potentially aggressive cases of Australia's most common cancer.
An international team of scientists led by UniSA Professor of Molecular Medicine Doug Brooks made the breakthrough, which assists pathologists when visualising prostate cancer in patient tissue samples.
The new biomarkers, when used together, will assist clinicians in determining which patients require immediate, radical treatment compared to those who need close monitoring.
With more than one million men diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide each year, the research breakthrough is significant.
The UniSA-based team has collaborated with the Australian company Envision Sciences on the technology to improve patient management and treatment outcomes.
"It is anticipated this will lead to long-term improvements in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded," Prof Brooks says.
"The biomarkers are remarkably sensitive and specific in accurately visualising the progress of the cancer and confirming its grade. This discovery has led to the commercial development of a test designed to determine how advanced and aggressive the cancer is and whether immediate treatment is needed."
Envision Sciences, which funded the development and translation of the technology at UniSA, has signed a commercialisation agreement with the largest tissue diagnostic pathology company in the US, Quest Diagnostics, to take the technology into clinical practice.
Pending a successful outcome in the US, it is expected that clinical trials using the innovative technology will be undertaken in Australia.
PCFA's Chief of Mission and Head of Research, Professor Jeff Dunn AO, described the project as a game-changer.
"These findings prove the power of community donations towards prostate cancer research, delivering real and immediate benefits for men impacted by the disease.
"We look forward to continuing our support for research projects like this one to help save lives and reduce deaths from prostate cancer."
The research has been published in the journal Cancers.
