British researchers may have made a major breakthrough in the search for an improved test for male cancer, it was announced yesterday.
Surrey University scientists say they have found a way to test for prostate cancer in the urine.
The standard test for the cancer using PSA – prostate specific antigen – needs blood samples to be taken.
The researchers say they have confirmed that a protein called EN2 – Engrailed-2 – is made by the cancer and can be found in urine.
The protein normally plays a role in the growth of human embryos and disappears at birth. The new research suggests it resurfaces when a man gets prostate cancer.
The findings are reported today in the journal Clinical Cancer Research and come from samples from some 288 patients.
Researcher Professor Hardev Pandha said the new test is twice as good as the PSA test.
Fellow researcher Dr Richard Morgan said: "We are preparing several large studies in the UK and in the US and although the EN2 test is not yet available several companies have expressed interest in taking it forward."
Colin Stokes, chairman of the Prostate Project, which funded the research, said he was "elated" at the development.
Clinical Cancer Research March 1 2011
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