Researchers at the University of Oxford are leading a significant study to evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance treatment decisions for prostate cancer. Funded by Prostate Cancer UK with a grant of £1.9 million, the Vanguard Path study seeks to address the challenges doctors face in assessing the aggressiveness of prostate cancer in individual patients.
Despite advances in diagnostic methods, determining the severity of prostate cancer remains complex. As a result, some men may undergo unnecessary surgeries or radiotherapy when they could instead be monitored. The study will first apply the technology known as the ArteraAI Prostate Biopsy Assay to biopsy samples from men who have been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, each having a minimum of five years of follow-up data. This initial phase will compare the predictions made by the AI tool against actual patient outcomes.
Following this, the AI technology will be tested in clinical settings, focusing on new biopsy cases where medical professionals struggle to decide on the appropriate treatment strategy. Participating NHS sites include North Bristol NHS Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Professor Clare Verrill, who is leading the project, expressed optimism about the trial”s potential, stating that it “will pave the way for advanced AI technologies” to be implemented within the NHS. Her comments emphasized the importance of providing detailed and precise information that empowers men to make informed decisions regarding their treatment options, whether they can be safely monitored or require immediate intervention.
Dr. Matthew Hobbs, the director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, highlighted the transformative potential of AI in prostate cancer care. He remarked, “AI has the potential to massively improve prostate cancer care and make sure that every man has the most accurate and best treatment plan for his specific cancer.” He noted the years of collaboration with Artera, underscoring the necessity of evaluating such promising AI tools in practical settings to establish their effectiveness.
Prostate cancer stands as the most prevalent cancer among men, with approximately one in eight men diagnosed during their lifetime, as reported by Prostate Cancer UK. Recent data indicated that 58,218 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England in 2024, an increase from the previous year.
Andre Esteva, co-founder and CEO of Artera, remarked on the development of the ArteraAI Prostate Biopsy Assay, stating that it was designed to enhance the lives of prostate cancer patients. He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Professor Verrill and her research team to explore how the AI tool could be utilized to optimize patient care within the NHS.
This study emerges shortly after news that an NHS trial is set to employ AI for interpreting MRI scans of men suspected of having prostate cancer. If the AI system identifies a high-risk scan, it will prioritize the case for review by radiologists, allowing for timely biopsies and expedited diagnoses.
