Minomic prostate cancer test more accurate than PSA

A new trial has revealed that the prostate cancer blood test MiCheck, developed by Australian-owned biotech company Minomic International, is more than twice as accurate as existing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening technology.

The PSA test measures the blood level of the protein PSA; the higher a man’s PSA level, the more likely it is that he has prostate cancer. However, as noted by urology expert Professor David Gillatt, “PSA readings can be elevated by simple activities like riding a bike … [meaning] men around the world are sent off for invasive biopsies and further medical investigations when in many cases it may not be required.”

MiCheck, on the other hand, works by screening for a proprietary biomarker known as the MIL-38 antigen, which is present on the surface of prostate cancer cells. Minomic scientists have additionally identified two other biomarkers, never previously used in prostate cancer diagnosis, to further improve the test.

Scientists tested 300 patient samples sourced from 10 major urology centres across the United States, examining the accuracy and reliability of the new technology in differentiating normal, benign and prostate cancer samples. They found MiCheck had a demonstrated specificity of 85%, compared to just 40% for existing PSA screening technology. This means the test detects just 1.5 false positives in every 10 samples, compared to six false positives in every 10 PSA samples.

A final, 1200-patient trial of the MiCheck technology will be launched in the US later this year. The results of the two trials will be included in a comprehensive package submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration for regulatory approvals and could result in the test being made commercially available by the end of the year