The overall objective of the project is to develop new non-invasive or minimally invasive molecular diagnostic methods to improve the detection/diagnosis of prostate cancer and better prediction of the future progression of the disease. The aim of such methods is to pave the way for a future reduction in overtreatment of prostate cancer.
We will therefore:
1) Systematically and prospectively collect blood-, urine- and prostate tissue samples from patients referred to a prostate biopsy – e.g. with a prior prostate MR scanning for either diagnosing prostate cancer, or in active surveillance with a known prostate cancer.
2) Register all relevant clinical, paraclinical and histopathological parameters for these patients, as well as following them prospectively. For example the result of scanning, initial/repeat prostate biopsies, response to any later treatment for prostate cancer, any disease progression or PSA increase, etc.
3) Analyse specific molecular/candidate markers (e.g. miRNA, mRNA, DNA, DNA methylation, protein) in urine, blood and/or prostate biopsy tissue from the above-named patients and compare all molecular findings with relevant clinical, paraclinical and histopathological parameters including biopsy findings (positive=malign, negative=non-malign), tumour stage, Gleason classification, PSA etc.
The ultimate goal is thus to develop a molecular diagnostic test which provides greater certainty than the existing methods in predicting which patients actually need a MR scan and/or prostate biopsy (initial/repeat), as well as which patients in fact have prostate cancer that requires treatment. The final development of such a test will however require further studies in new multicentre studies.
The project is carried out in close collaboration with MOMA and approx. 3,500 patients are expected to participate in the project.
Read more about the project here.
Primary responsibility: Professor, Consultant, DMSc, PhD Michael Borre
Funding: The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation has granted DKK 12.8 million to the project “Improved Molecular diagnostics for prostate cancer”, of which DKK 3.76 million goes to Aarhus University Hospital. The project is also supported by the Innovation Fund Denmark/Nordforsk (DKK 4.8 million). Applications will be made for additional financial support for the project from other foundations.
