Researchers Identify Three New Biomarkers to Help Treat Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer: A genetic screening test for prostate cancer is being investigated that could predict the disease's aggressiveness and reduce the need for invasive treatments in men who have milder forms. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Researchers from the University of South Australia have identified three new biomarkers to help doctors pinpoint different stages of prostate cancer for more urgent and accurate treatment.

UniSA Professor Doug Brooks of Molecular Medicine, who leads an international team of scientists, made the breakthrough.

“It is anticipated this will lead to long-term improvements in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded,” said Prof. Brooks.

UniSA Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Enterprise Prof. Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO hailed the breakthrough as “life-saving” and said the partnership between UniSA and Envision Sciences was a wonderful development in cancer research.

“This technology represents a shift in the way clinicians can grade and predict the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. We look forward to seeing the difference it makes in the coming years.”

The new biomarkers will help pathologists visually look at prostate cancer tissue samples, which will, in turn, assist clinical doctors in determining which patients demand urgent radical treatment and which need close monitoring.

Since the biomarkers are so sensitive and accurate in determining the grade of prostate cancer, it has led to commercial development as well.

“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,” Prof. Brooks said.

Envision Sciences, an Australian company that funded the development and translation of the technology at UniSA, has signed a commercialisation agreement with the U.S.’s largest tissue diagnostic pathology company, Quest Diagnostics, to take the technology into clinical practice to improve patient management and treatment outcomes.

Clinical trials using the new innovative technology are expected to take place in Australia after a successful outcome in the U.S. first.

The International Research Team comprises multidisciplinary sectors and members from UniSA, Trinity College Dublin, University of Adelaide, Flinders Medical Centre, Aquesta Pathology QLD and Otago University NZ.

This new breakthrough is significant given that prostate cancer kills more than 300,000 men yearly, and over one million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide yearly.

Prostate Cancer Is the Most Commonly Diagnosed Cancer In Australia

According to Cancer Council Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.

More than 24,200 males were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, while the average age at diagnosis is 69 years old, and one in six males will be diagnosed by the time they are 85.

Usually, early prostate cancer does not cause symptoms, while advanced prostate cancer may have the following symptoms: frequent urination, pain while urinating, blood in the urine or semen, a weak stream, pain in the back or pelvis, and weak legs or feet.

For treatment and diagnosis assistance, call cancer council Australia: 13 11 20