Singapore General Hospital (SGH), in collaboration with Lucence and the Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub), has launched a study to validate a urine-based test for early detection of bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers. This initiative seeks to address the challenges posed by current screening methods, which are often invasive, costly, and require multiple clinic visits.
The one-year study will utilise Lucence’s proprietary technology, initially developed for blood samples, to identify cancer types from urine. This approach is expected to be more effective for urological cancers, which are connected to the urinary system. Associate Professor Kenneth Chen from SGH highlighted the potential of this method, stating, “A single, simple, non-invasive screening method like a urine test could lead to more proactive screening, especially for those at higher risk.”
The study aims to recruit 150 participants aged 40 and above, including 120 patients with early-stage cancers and 30 healthy volunteers. Participants will provide urine and blood samples for testing, with results compared to tissue samples from tumours.
Dr Tan Min-Han, CEO of Lucence, emphasised the potential impact, noting that the test could benefit over 1 million people in Singapore at risk of these cancers. DxD Hub will develop the urine extraction workflow to enhance the test’s effectiveness, aiming to streamline diagnostic pathways and improve patient outcomes.
Urological cancers are increasingly prevalent, with prostate cancer being the most common among Singaporean men. This study could pave the way for more accessible and efficient cancer screening methods, potentially transforming early detection and treatment strategies.
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