Innovative Urine Test Shows Promise for Early Prostate Cancer Detection

Recent research conducted by scientists from Karolinska Institutet has demonstrated that prostate cancer can potentially be diagnosed at an early stage using a simple urine test. By employing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and extensive analysis of gene activity within tumor samples, researchers identified new biomarkers that offer high diagnostic accuracy.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Research, involved analyzing all human gene expressions in thousands of individual prostate tumor cells, creating detailed digital models of the cancer. These models enabled the team to pinpoint specific proteins serving as biomarkers for the disease. The identified biomarkers were then tested in blood, prostate tissue, and urine samples from nearly 2,000 patients.

Remarkably, the urine-based biomarkers demonstrated an ability to detect prostate cancer presence and severity with greater precision than the widely used PSA blood test. According to lead researcher Mikael Benson, measuring these biomarkers in urine provides significant advantages — it is non-invasive, painless, and can potentially be conducted at home, with analysis performed in routine clinical laboratories.

The findings highlight the potential for urine tests to revolutionize prostate cancer screening, enabling earlier diagnosis and reducing unnecessary biopsies. However, large-scale clinical trials are still needed to validate these new biomarkers before they can be integrated into standard practice. Planning is underway for upcoming clinical trials, including collaborations with major studies like the UK’s TRANSFORM initiative.

This breakthrough could lead to more accurate, less invasive diagnostic methods for prostate cancer, ultimately improving patient outcomes and survival rates. Experts emphasize that these developments may surpass the effectiveness of current PSA tests, offering hope for earlier detection and better tailored treatments for men worldwide.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-urine-reveal-prostate-cancer.html