A revolutionary test developed in Cambridge is set to change the landscape of prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. Designed to fast-track personalised treatment, this cutting-edge advancement harnesses artificial intelligence to analyse an unparalleled range of biomarkers, significantly enhancing detection accuracy and treatment planning.
This groundbreaking test evaluates an extensive combination of clinically validated biomarkers found in urine and blood samples. Unlike existing methods, which typically analyse up to 20 biomarkers, this new test measures over 100, providing a far more comprehensive assessment. An AI-driven algorithm interprets these biomarkers, identifying early indications of cancer, its aggressiveness, and specific genetic or hereditary risk factors. This level of insight enables tailored treatment strategies, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate care for their condition.
Beyond confirming the presence or absence of cancerous cells, the test also determines whether the cancer is in its early or late stages and assesses how rapidly it may progress. This detailed analysis has the potential to reduce the need for invasive procedures such as digital rectal examinations and unnecessary MRI scans, which can be stressful and costly for patients.
With 55,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed annually in the UK and over 330,000 reported across Europe, the demand for more accurate and less invasive diagnostic tools is greater than ever. Additionally, more than one million men are undergoing treatment for the disease at any given time. The development of a highly precise test could revolutionise early detection and intervention, ultimately saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
This pioneering test is being developed at the Cambridge laboratory of EDX Medical Group, a leader in digitally enhanced diagnostic solutions for cancer, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases. The company has filed a patent application with the European Patent Office for both the test and its proprietary AI algorithm, marking a significant step forward in the battle against prostate cancer.
Prof Sir Chris Evans, founder and chief scientific officer of EDX Medical, expressed his enthusiasm for the innovation, stating, “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.”
EDX Medical Group Plc (AQSE:EDX) is a global specialist in digital clinical diagnostics; developing and supporting high-performance products and services to provide cost-effective prediction of disease risk, inform clinical decision-making, enable personalised healthcare and accelerate the development of new medicines for cancer, neurology, heart disease and infectious diseases.
