Urine Test Could Improve Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

A new urine-based study may offer a noninvasive way to detect prostate cancer and potentially reduce the need for biopsies. 

The test looks for three markers in urine (TTC3, H4C5 and EPCAM) that are strongly linked to prostate cancer. These markers disappear after prostate removal, confirming their connection to the disease. 

What the Study Found 

Researchers tested the idea on over 1,300 urine samples. The test not only flagged prostate cancer but also told it apart from other common conditions like an enlarged prostate or prostate inflammation. It even detected cancers in men whose prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood levels looked normal. 

Michael Poch, MD

“This kind of urine test would be less invasive than current approaches, even compared with a blood draw for PSA,” said Michael Poch, MD, a urologic oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center. He notes that the biggest hurdles may now lie outside the science including approval from regulators and the cost of rolling out new tests. 

What’s Next? 

Scientists hope this urine test could one day be combined with PSA blood testing for even better accuracy. Larger trials are planned, and researchers at Johns Hopkins have already applied for a patent as they work toward making it available to patients.