Using 3D Imaging to Improve Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Grant information

Institution - University of Oxford
Researcher - Professors Ian Mills & Freddie Hamdy
Grant Award - £678,031.00
Duration of Funding - 2021-2025
Status - Complete
Reference - MA-ETNA19-005

Why did we fund this project?

• After a man has a prostate biopsy, a doctor examines thin sections of his biopsy under a microscope to see whether cancer cells are present and, if they are, how likely the cancer cells are to spread beyond the prostate.

• However, analysing only a portion of the biopsy sample under the microscope can mean important information is missed, reducing the accuracy of a man's diagnosis and potentially affecting treatment decisions.

• To address this, Professor Ian Mills and Professor Freddie Hamdy set out to develop a 3D imaging approach that allows whole biopsy samples to be analysed.

What did the researchers do?

• The team collaborated with researchers at the University of Washington, who had developed a microscope capable of imaging biopsies in 3D.

• After the microscope was shipped to Oxford, the team tested different methods for preparing prostate biopsy samples for imaging and fine-tuned the image capture and analysis process to generate the highest-quality images possible.

What did the researchers achieve? 

• The team successfully captured high-quality 3D images of numerous prostate cancer biopsies.

• The researchers also found that certain features in prostate cancer biopsy images are associated with specific genetic changes, which could help doctors identify men who may benefit from specific treatments.

How will this benefit men?

• The team is now developing artificial intelligence (AI) models that can analyse 3D biopsy images to identify prostate cancers that are more likely to grow and spread.

• Once developed, the team plan to test these models in clinical trials to assess whether they can help doctors identify which men need more intensive treatment, and who can safely avoid it and its associated side effects.

What impact has our funding had?

• We use a simple six-stage framework to track how research moves from early discovery to real-world use - from early ideas through to tests or treatments that can benefit men.

• This research began at early Stage C, a phase focused on developing a tool before testing its effectiveness.

• Following our funding, it has progressed to mid-Stage C, with the team successfully creating a 3D imaging approach and now working towards developing AI tools to analyse these images.