Sparing men pain and anxiety

The use of mpMRI has redefined the way men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. But sometimes, for men who don’t have prostate cancer, mpMRI can highlight areas that look suspicious. This means some men may have a biopsy that could have been avoided with more accurate imaging.

A team of researchers based at University College London set out to make mpMRI scans clearer and more accurate. As part of a study called INNOVATE, funded by Prostate Cancer UK in partnership with Movember, the team tested a new type of scan called the VERDICT scan. The results showed that the VERDICT scan is more accurate than the current mpMRI and could help men avoid around 90% of biopsies that might not be needed.

John Aves, 81, from Wrexham, Wales, underwent two biopsies before being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. John had been getting up several times in the night to go to the toilet for quite a while. He wasn't particularly concerned about his symptoms – he just put it down to 'old man's bladder'. But when he visited his GP about a UTI, his doctor suggested further tests for prostate cancer.

John ended up having a transrectal biopsy, which came back negative. His urologist was still concerned, so he went on to have a template biopsy, which confirmed the cancer. John feels lucky he went ahead with the template biopsy, as it led to his diagnosis. Thankfully, his cancer hadn’t spread, and he’s now cancer free.

From research idea to access for all

Idea

In partnership with Movember, we funded the team at University College London to run a study called INNOVATE. Part of this study was to test a new type of scan called VERDICT scan.

Lab research

Over 300 men took part in the study, each having both a standard mpMRI and a VERDICT scan. The VERDICT scan is, in essence, like a new app for a phone, in that it can be ‘downloaded’ onto existing scanners.

Clinical trial

At first, the clinical team reviewed only the standard mpMRI scans. If a man needed a biopsy based on those scans, the team then looked at the VERDICT scans to see whether they would have made the same call. The results were striking: nine out of ten men could have safely avoided a biopsy using the VERDICT scan.

Approved for use

Building on the success of INNOVATE, we have continued to fund the team through the ASPIRE trial. This trial is testing advanced MRI scans across multiple hospitals to make biopsy decisions more accurate. This work will pave the way for a nationwide trial, helping ensure biopsies are only performed when truly needed, improving the way men with prostate cancer are diagnosed.

Access for all

The VERDICT scan is likely to reduce biopsies that might not be needed, making mpMRI more accurate. Reducing the number of biopsies not only spares men anxiety and pain but also saves the NHS valuable time and money.

What's next?

We've continued to fund research into better diagnosis for men with prostate cancer. This includes projects using imaging to detect advanced prostate cancer, developing a urine test men can do at home and exploring how artificial intelligence can further improve MRI image quality.