Technology
Treating metastatic prostate cancer based on tumor biology
Prostate cancer, not only one disease. Scientific evidence showing that metastatic prostate cancer can be divided into multiple subtypes has gained large interest during recent years. The subtypes show differences in prognosis and tumor biology that should be considered when choosing the best therapy option for individual patients. Phenotype diagnostics translates discoveries in world-leading academic research into clinical usefulness for the benefit of patients and is currently developing two clinical products; one for Computational pathology and the other for Liquid biopsy analysis.
Patient benefits. Today patients with metastatic prostate cancer are treated according to a general strategy, “one treatment fits all”. By considering tumor characteristics in individual patients, optimal therapy can be given resulting in longer survival and improved care, without the risk of overtreatment.
Computational pathology for prognosis and therapy selection at diagnosis
The metastatic subtype and patient response to firstline therapy for metastatic prostate cancer can be estimated by measuring markers for tumor cell division and androgen dependence in digitized section of prostate biopsies. The markers can identify 75% of patients in need of complementary therapy. An AI-trained software prototype is being developed for rapid, precise, and reliable assessment by using digital image analysis of significant biomarkers.
- Easily implemented in clinical routine; no extra sampling needed.
- AI-prototype build on digital image platform already in clinical use
Liquid biopsy analysis for therapy selection and disease monitoring
The metastatic subtype and patient response to diverse treatment modelities for metastatic prostate cancer can be estimated by measuring a set of subtype-differentiating gene transcripts in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) isolated from blood plasma.
- Mirror biology of total tumor burden
- Non-invasive test, allowing monitoring treatment response and relapse overtime
Publications.
Gene expression profiles define molecular subtypes of prostate cancer bone metastases with different outcomes and morphology traceable back to the primary tumor.
Immunoreactivity for prostate specific antigen and Ki67 differentiates subgroups of prostate cancer related to outcome.
