A groundbreaking study is underway to evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance treatment decisions for prostate cancer patients. The Vanguard Path study, spearheaded by researchers at the University of Oxford, has received funding of £1.9 million from the charity Prostate Cancer UK.
While advancements in prostate cancer diagnosis have improved safety and accuracy, determining the aggressiveness of the disease in individual patients remains a challenge for healthcare professionals. This uncertainty can sometimes result in unnecessary surgeries or radiotherapies when active monitoring would suffice.
The study will assess the effectiveness of a technology known as the ArteraAI Prostate Biopsy Assay. Initially, the AI tool will be tested on biopsy samples from men who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have undergone treatment, with a minimum follow-up period of five years. The researchers will compare the AI”s predictions against actual patient outcomes to gauge its accuracy.
Following this phase, the technology will be implemented in clinical settings, focusing on biopsy samples from newly diagnosed patients, particularly in complex cases where treatment options are not clear-cut. The study will take place at three NHS sites: North Bristol NHS Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Professor Clare Verrill, the principal investigator of the project, expressed optimism about the trial”s potential to facilitate the rollout of advanced AI technologies across the NHS. She stated, “This will enable more detailed and precise information to be provided to men, allowing them to make better-informed decisions with their clinical team about whether they can be safely monitored or need treatment.”
Dr. Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, highlighted the transformative potential of AI in prostate cancer care. “AI has the potential to massively improve prostate cancer care and ensure that every man has the most accurate and best treatment plan for his specific cancer,” he noted. He emphasized the importance of properly evaluating promising AI tools to ensure their effective implementation.
In 2024, approximately 58,218 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England, reflecting an increase from the previous year, according to the National Prostate Cancer Audit. Prostate cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among men, with one in eight men likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime.
Andre Esteva, co-founder and CEO of Artera, remarked on the development of the ArteraAI Prostate Biopsy Assay, stating that it was designed to improve the lives of prostate cancer patients. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Professor Verrill and her team to explore how the test could enhance patient care within the NHS.
Additionally, the study comes on the heels of another NHS trial that employs AI to analyze MRI scans for men suspected of having prostate cancer. In this trial, if the AI identifies a high-risk scan, it will be prioritized for review by radiologists, expediting the biopsy process and enabling quicker diagnoses.
