A new study is set to investigate whether artificial intelligence (AI) can assist healthcare professionals in making more informed treatment decisions for prostate cancer. Despite advancements in the accuracy and safety of prostate cancer diagnoses, determining the aggressiveness of the disease in individual patients remains a significant challenge. This uncertainty can sometimes result in men undergoing unnecessary surgeries or radiotherapy when they might be better suited for monitoring instead.
The Vanguard Path study, led by researchers from the University of Oxford and funded by a grant of £1.9 million from the charity Prostate Cancer UK, aims to explore this issue. The initial phase of the research will involve testing a technology known as the ArteraAI Prostate Biopsy Assay on biopsy samples collected from men who have been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, with a minimum follow-up period of five years. This phase will assess how accurately the predictions made by the AI tool align with the actual outcomes experienced by patients.
Subsequent tests will be conducted in clinical settings, focusing on biopsies from men at the point of diagnosis, particularly in cases where medical professionals find it difficult to determine the optimal treatment approach. The study will take place across three NHS sites, including North Bristol NHS Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Professor Clare Verrill, who is leading the research, stated that the trial “will pave the way for advanced AI technologies” to be integrated into the NHS. She emphasized that this initiative would provide more detailed and precise information to men, empowering them to make better-informed decisions in collaboration with their clinical teams regarding whether they can opt for monitoring or require immediate treatment.
Dr. Matthew Hobbs, the director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, remarked on the potential of AI to significantly enhance prostate cancer care, ensuring that every man receives the most accurate treatment plan tailored to his specific cancer. He noted the importance of thoroughly evaluating such AI tools to ensure their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
Hobbs expressed excitement about the project led by Professor Verrill and her team, highlighting its focus on testing this innovative technology in practical settings to gather essential evidence for broader implementation within the NHS.
According to Prostate Cancer UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with approximately one in eight men diagnosed during their lifetime. Recent statistics reveal that over 58,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England in 2024, a rise from the previous year, as reported by the National Prostate Cancer Audit.
Andre Esteva, the chief executive and co-founder of Artera, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration with Professor Verrill and her research team, stating that the ArteraAI Prostate Biopsy Assay was developed to enhance the quality of life for prostate cancer patients. He expressed hope that the test could soon be utilized to tailor prostate cancer care for men within the UK.
Additionally, this study”s announcement comes shortly after the news that an NHS trial will employ AI to analyze MRI scans for men suspected of having prostate cancer. If the AI system identifies a high-risk scan, it will prioritize those cases for review by radiologists and facilitate same-day biopsy appointments for patients, streamlining the diagnostic process.
