According to Prostate Cancer UK, prostate cancer urgent GP referrals fell by 52,000 in 2020. The impact of Covid-19 isn’t isolated to just those getting the virus. The UK has some of the worst prostate cancer survival statistics of any European country. This has been worse impacted by Covid, which is why at the BAUS (The British Association of Urological Surgeons) Section of Oncology Annual Meeting, held at Duxford Imperial War Museum on 9/10 December 2021, Cambridge Clinical Laboratories launches our new suite of tests to support the UK prostate cancer pathway.

In the UK these tests will only be available via CCL and will help the NHS, and private healthcare, to improve screening, speed up prostate cancer diagnosis, ensure the most effective treatments and look for genetic predisposition.  

UROLOGY SUITE OF TESTS

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) – initial screening

A protein produced by ‘normal’, as well as malignant, cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in a man's blood. Elevated PSA levels may be indicative of a prostate issue requiring further investigation.

Select MDX

SelectMDx helps physicians determine if a patient is at high or low risk for prostate cancer and which men can safely avoid biopsy. A non-invasive urine test - SelectMDx measures the expression of two mRNA cancer-related biomarkers (HOXC6 and DLX1). 

Proclarix

A simple protein-based blood test that can be done with the same sample as the PSA test. No additional intervention is required with results becoming quickly available. Patients with a PSA level between 2 and 10 ng/ml are in a diagnostic grey zone. Proclarix helps doctors and patients with PSA levels in the grey zone. Its Proclarix Risk Score delivers clear and immediate diagnostic support for further treatment decisions. 

Prostatype – after diagnosis

Prostatype®'s unique system identifies the genetic fingerprint of cancer by measuring information from cancer stem cell genes. The gene expressions together with other clinical parameters such as PSA, Gleason and Tumour stage are entered into the Classification of Prostatic Malignancy Algorithm (CPMA) software that is linked to a unique patient data base. The software calculates the so-called P-score that provides a measure of how aggressive the cancer is, which facilitates the choice of optimal treatment for the patient.

HRR panel – coming soon

Used to determine genetic predisposition or as a companion diagnostic tool down the line.

CCL CEO Dr Anthony Cooke says: “2020 threw a huge curveball for the world in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic, as a result Cancer healthcare has been hugely impacted. The new tests we are launching will help to ease the pressure of the NHS and improve the experiences of those in the prostate cancer pathway. CCL wants to help; we know our tests will improve the lives of many.”

Prostate Cancer in the UK

(Source - Prostate Cancer UK & Cancer Research UK)

• Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in UK males 

• In the UK, 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime

• Around 48,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year

• There are around 11,500 prostate cancer deaths in the UK every year, that's 31 every day (2014-2016)

• There is a higher risk of prostate cancer in men over 50, black men, and those with a family history.

Accessing these tests

Health Care Professionals should please contact CCL. Patients should refer their Health Care Professional to the CCL website and ask them to get in touch. Cambridge Clinical Laboratories HCP services are only available through a professional healthcare provider.

Press contact: Kelly Morel, PR Manager, kelly@happycommunications.co.uk