Study Reveals 18-gene Urine Test Identifies High-Grade Prostate Cancer with 95% Accuracy

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer in which the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland forms a tumor. Higher-grade prostate cancer needs proper diagnosis and treatment as it increases the risk of death. Healthcare professionals used a traditional screening method named the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test that did not diagnose higher-grade prostate cancer. However, researchers from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center have developed an 18-gene urine test that can diagnose higher-grade prostate cancer accurately.  

The research published in JAMA Oncology was conducted to check whether the 18-gene urine test can diagnose higher-grade prostate cancer accurately and quickly. This test is also known as MyProstateScore2.0 or MPS2.  In this study, researchers involved two groups of men such as one during the development phase and the other during the validation phase of the test consisting of 761 and 743 men respectively. 

Researchers used RNA sequencing data to identify specific genes that are associated with the development of higher-grade prostate cancer. When they observed and studied the collected data thoroughly, they identified that 18-gene urine tests worked more accurately than the PSA test. It diagnosed almost 95% of higher-grade prostate cancer accurately and reduced the need for biopsies. These biopsies can be painful and increase the risk of other complications. 

This test also showed the ability to differentiate prostate cancers as indolent prostate cancer and those with a higher risk of progression. This ability can help healthcare professionals to make the right treatment choices as progressive cancers need quick attention.  

Prostate cancer, especially higher-grade prostate cancer, is very dangerous as it needs biopsies which are painful. But MyProstateScore2.0 can diagnose higher-grade prostate cancer accurately and effectively. Healthcare professionals should use this test instead of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for screening of higher-grade cancer to start the proper treatment earlier. This research will be helpful in reducing the risk of death from prostate cancer. 

Reference Link: 

Development and Validation of an 18-Gene Urine Test for Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer, JAMA Oncology (2024).  

DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0455