A new breakthrough AI test could help reduce the risk of death from prostate cancer by up to 50%, according to a recent study.
The test works by examining tumour images and spotting tiny features not visible to the human eye. It helps find patients who would benefit most from a drug called abiraterone, known as a “game-changer”, reported Daily Mail.
Researchers found that one in four men with “high-risk” prostate cancer had a special biomarker that made them respond better to the drug. Among these men, taking abiraterone with standard hormone therapy reduced the five-year death risk from 17% to 9% – a 47% drop.
Men without the biomarker saw a smaller benefit – their risk of death dropped from 7% to 4%, which was not considered significant.
Abiraterone costs only £77 a month since its patent expired. It blocks testosterone production throughout the body, including in the tumour. Experts now urge NHS England to offer the drug to 2,100 men every year who have this biomarker, and avoid giving it to others who may not benefit and could face side effects.
Currently, NHS England funds abiraterone only for men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread. It is not available for the 8,400 men each year newly diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer that hasn’t spread. However, the drug has been available to such patients in Scotland and Wales for two years.
Scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and University College London studied over 1,000 high-risk cases. Their findings, based on a test made by Artera Inc, will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.
Professor Nick James, co-leader of the study, said, “I truly hope this new research – showing precisely who needs the drug to live well for longer – will lead to NHS England reviewing their decision to fund abiraterone for high-risk prostate cancer that has not spread.”
An NHS spokesperson said they are keeping the decision under review.
In another development, NHS England will now offer lung cancer patients a new blood test to help fast-track treatment and avoid extra biopsies. Called a ‘liquid biopsy’, it checks for DNA fragments and cancer mutations. Around 15,000 patients each year are expected to benefit.
