New prostate cancer imaging test shows 'extremely encouraging' results

Undated handout photo issued by Heriot-Watt University of Professor Vassilis Sboros. Prostate cancer imaging developed by university researchers has shown "extremely encouraging" results in its first clinical trials. A team at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, leading the clinical trial said recent testing at the Western General Hospital has shown promising results in screening for the disease. Issue date: Wednesday January 8, 2025.
-Credit:Copyright remains with handout provider


University researchers have developed a prostate cancer imaging technique with "extremely encouraging" outcomes during its initial clinical trials.

The collaborative effort by Heriot-Watt University experts in Edinburgh and clinicians at the Western General Hospital demonstrated that the new method using existing ultrasound technology successfully detected tumours with an impressive 94% sensitivity rate in testing, and can complete the procedure in less than 20 minutes. Moreover, according to the research team, the cost of this ultrasound approach is only about 10% of that of MRI scanning, substantially improving the ability of doctors to guide prostate biopsies and focal therapy, which specifically targets and eradicates cancerous cells.

With prostate cancer affecting one in eight men over their lifetime and accounting for roughly 52,000 new cases annually in the UK (averaging 144 diagnoses every day), identifying reliable and cost-effective detection methods is crucial. Presently, the typical test – known as a prostate specific antigen (PSA) screen – is deemed unreliable, often leading men to undergo pricey MRI scans accompanied by lengthy wait times.

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These MRIs can fail to detect up to 28% of clinically significant cancers, and half of those individuals with positive MRI results may receive a negative biopsy. But Less Grey Imaging Ltd, a spin-out from Heriot-Watt University, claims that the novel technology presents clinicians with up to a twenty-fold improvement in resolution when compared to MRI images, which they argue offer a grey and challenging image interpretation.

This innovative method shines a light on previously undetectable tumours due to changes in blood flow within cancerous tissues. Dr George Papageorgiou, at the helm of Less Grey Imaging, said: “Our initial clinical findings in prostate imaging align well with histopathology, highlighting its potential to reliably detect clinically significant prostate cancer.

“Currently, prostate cancer diagnosis varies widely across the country, with many patients being diagnosed too late for curative treatment. By integrating ultrasound more prominently into the diagnostic pathway, we can ensure equal opportunities for early diagnosis across all regions of the UK.

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“Less Grey Imaging’s mission is to revolutionise prostate imaging by delivering clarity and precision. Urologists will have an imaging tool that enables accurate diagnoses and quicker decision-making.”

The potential of the technology has been recognised by Innovate UK, which awarded the company a £370,000 grant. The UK has a higher cancer mortality rate compared with several other developed countries, with the Darzi report, which reviewed the NHS and was published in September 2024, revealing that waiting times targets for the first treatment for cancer have not been met since December 2015.