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Tag: Prostate

  • Urine Test Beats PSA in Prostate Cancer Detection

    Urine Test Beats PSA in Prostate Cancer Detection

    By combining digital tumor models with AI, researchers pinpointed proteins that accurately indicate both the presence and severity of cancer. Because urine tests are non-invasive, they could enable painless, at-home diagnostics in the future. Upcoming large-scale clinical trials aim to improve early detection and reduce unnecessary biopsies for men globally.
    Credit: Pixabay

    By combining digital tumor models with AI, researchers pinpointed proteins that accurately indicate both the presence and severity of cancer. Because urine tests are non-invasive, they could enable painless, at-home diagnostics in the future. Upcoming large-scale clinical trials aim to improve early detection and reduce unnecessary biopsies for men globally.

    Early Detection Hurdles: The Search for Reliable Prostate Cancer Biomarkers

    Prostate cancer ranks among the top causes of death in men globally, yet early diagnosis remains difficult due to the absence of reliable biomarkers for detecting initial tumor development.

    In a study released today (April 28) in Cancer Research, scientists from Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), Imperial College London (UK), and Xiyuan Hospital at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (Beijing, China) report the discovery of a highly accurate set of biomarkers for prostate cancer.

    Mapping Cancer at the Cellular Level: Uncovering Tumor Complexity Through mRNA Analysis

    The researchers examined mRNA activity for all human genes across thousands of individual cells from prostate tumors. This allowed them to create detailed digital maps showing both the location and severity of the cancer in each cell.

    They then applied artificial intelligence to these models to pinpoint proteins that could act as biomarkers. Their discoveries were confirmed through the analysis of blood, prostate tissue, and urine samples from nearly 2,000 patients.

    Urine-Based Biomarkers Outperform PSA in Detecting Prostate Cancer

    The team discovered a group of urine-based biomarkers that could detect both the presence and severity of prostate cancer with remarkable accuracy—exceeding the performance of PSA, the commonly used blood biomarker in current medical practice.

    “Urine testing offers several benefits,” says lead researcher Mikael Benson, senior scientist at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology at Karolinska Institutet. “It’s non-invasive, painless, and could potentially be done at home, with samples easily analyzed using standard clinical lab techniques.”

    Next Steps: Large-Scale Clinical Trials to Test New Prostate Cancer Biomarkers

    Large-scale clinical trials are in development as the next step in this research. One such trial is under discussion with Professor Rakesh Heer of Imperial College London, a co-author of the study and lead of TRANSFORM, the UK’s national prostate cancer initiative, which supports rapid testing of new biomarkers.

    “More accurate biomarkers than PSA could enable earlier diagnosis and improve outcomes for men with prostate cancer,” notes Dr. Mikael Benson. “They may also help avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies in men without the disease.”

    The study received major funding from the Swedish Cancer Society, Radiumhemmet, and the Swedish Research Council. Mikael Benson is the scientific founder of Mavatar, Inc. No other conflicts of interest were reported.

    Read the original article on: Scitech Daily

    Read more: Scientists Create a New Device to Detect Brain Tumors Using Urine

  • Mushroom Extract Demonstrates Potential in Fighting Prostate Cancer

    Mushroom Extract Demonstrates Potential in Fighting Prostate Cancer

    Exotic mushrooms like Lion's mane have garnered attention for their medicinal benefits, but common varieties, such as the white button mushroom, may also offer immune-boosting effects.
    Credit: Pixabay

    Exotic mushrooms like Lion’s mane have garnered attention for their medicinal benefits, but common varieties, such as the white button mushroom, may also offer immune-boosting effects.

    The white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is the world’s most cultivated edible mushroom. Although not typically seen as medicinal, emerging studies suggest its extract may help slow or even prevent prostate cancer growth.

    Researchers at the City of Hope, a cancer research center, are working to follow FDA guidelines and establish evidence for the mushroom’s health benefits. Their findings strengthen the case for using white button mushrooms as a “nutraceutical” treatment to slow prostate cancer progression, especially when used as an adjuvant therapy.

    “Plant-derived substances could one day complement traditional cancer treatments,” says cancer biologist Shiuan Chen. “This study suggests ‘food as medicine’ could become part of evidence-based cancer care.”

    Prostate cancer creates a defense against the immune system by producing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). White button mushrooms may disrupt this defense. In a Phase I clinical trial, researchers saw promising signs that the mushroom extract reduced prostate cancer toxicity, with some participants showing fewer MDSCs and undetectable levels of cancer markers after months of taking mushroom tablets.

    Follow-up Study and Phase II Trial Reveal Mushroom Extract’s Potential to Slow Tumor Growth and Boost Immune Response in Prostate Cancer

    The phase I clinical trial conducted previously involving the mushroom extract, and later experiments on rodent models and a randomized phase II trial. (Wang et al., Clinical and Translational Medicine, 2024)

    A follow-up study on mice and a Phase II clinical trial involving prostate cancer patients are now exploring the mechanisms behind this effect. In mouse models, the mushroom extract significantly slowed tumor growth and extended survival, with treated mice showing fewer tumor-derived suppressor cells in their blood. In the ongoing Phase II trial, patients treated with the extract have shown fewer suppressor cells and an increase in anti-tumor immune cells.

    These results suggest that white button mushrooms could help enhance anti-cancer immune responses and slow cancer growth when combined with other therapies.

    However, it remains unclear which specific compounds in the mushroom extract are responsible for these effects. Botanicals like mushrooms contain numerous chemicals, which may target multiple cancer pathways simultaneously. Identifying the active ingredients is a slow process, so clinical trials focus on safety and efficacy rather than the exact mechanisms.

    The mushroom extract may contain soluble fibers, proteins, lipids, and phytochemicals, all of which could affect cancer cells.

    “While our results are promising, the study is still ongoing,” says Xiaoqiang Wang, City of Hope staff scientist and lead author. “That said, adding fresh white button mushrooms to your diet couldn’t hurt.”

    Read Original Article: Science Alert

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