Scientists at the University of Surrey in the UK have developed a test that can diagnose prostate cancer from a urine sample.
The test detects Engrailed-2 (EN2), a protein made by prostate cancers and secreted into the urine.
EN2 is an important protein in the development of human embryos, but is usually switched off at birth.
However, a study of 288 patients by the research team revealed that EN2 is switched back on in prostate cancer.
Study researcher Hardev Pandha said the results indicate that the test was twice as effective at finding prostate cancer as the standard PSA test.
“EN2 was not detected in men with non-cancerous disorders of the prostate such as prostatitis or benign enlargement,” Pandha added.
According to researchers, the test is simple, quick and could be used in GP’s surgeries.
The research was funded by the University of Surrey and The Prostate Project, a charity.
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