Researchers at the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt University have developed a urine-based test, MyProstateScore 2.0 (MPS2), that could potentially help men avoid unnecessary biopsies for prostate cancer. The test aims to distinguish between slow-growing prostate cancers that pose little risk and more aggressive cancers that require immediate treatment.

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among men, and current screening methods include a blood test to measure levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, elevated PSA levels can lead to additional tests such as biopsies, which carry potential risks and discomfort.

In their latest study published in JAMA Oncology, the research team analyzed RNA sequencing data from almost 59,000 genes. They identified a set of 54 candidate markers that were linked to prostate cancer or specifically associated with high-grade cancers. Further analysis and modeling helped identify a combination of 17 genes, along with a reference gene associated with general prostate tissue, to create MPS2.

To validate the accuracy of MPS2, the researchers analyzed urine samples from 743 men who had received biopsies due to elevated PSA levels. The biopsies revealed that 20% of the men had high-grade prostate cancer. The validation analysis demonstrated that MPS2 could effectively rule out the presence of high-grade cancer with 97% accuracy.

Comparisons were made between MPS2 and other biomarker tests, including the original MyProstateScore (MPS). The results showed that MPS2 outperformed other tests in identifying high-grade cancers. The researchers estimated that MPS2 could potentially help patients avoid up to 51% of unnecessary biopsies.

Dr. Jeffrey Tosoian of Vanderbilt University emphasized the significance of this breakthrough, noting that the new test can provide patients with greater confidence in avoiding more invasive and burdensome tests.

The development of MPS2 provides hope for men who face the dilemma of deciding whether or not to undergo a prostate biopsy. By accurately distinguishing between slow-growing and aggressive prostate cancers, the test could spare many patients from unnecessary procedures and their accompanying risks.

Further research and validation studies will be essential to fully establish the efficacy of MPS2. However, this urine-based test represents a promising step forward in improving the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis and reducing the need for invasive procedures.

Overall, the development of MPS2 offers a potential breakthrough in prostate cancer screening, enabling healthcare professionals to better identify high-grade cancers and provide appropriate treatment while sparing patients from unnecessary biopsies.